Fostering a child can be an extremely rewarding experience for everyone involved. You get to play a pivotal role by giving a young person a fresh start in life or a safe space when they need it the most. At the same time, it’s not always easy. Children who are placed in foster care have often experienced trauma in the form of abuse or neglect, which can manifest in challenging behaviors. That’s why it’s important to think carefully about whether or not fostering is right for you before jumping in.
Am I eligible to be a foster parent?
The first step is to determine whether you are actually eligible to become a foster parent. The main criteria you need to meet in order to apply with West Midlands fostering services are to be over 21 years of age, have a spare bedroom, and either be a British citizen or have indefinite leave to remain. Ideally, you should also be able to commit to fostering full-time. You don’t have to be married, and you can apply regardless of your employment status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or background.
What does fostering involve?
As a foster parent, your basic role is to provide a child in need with a safe, warm, and nurturing home. You’ll look after their physical health and mental wellbeing, support their education, teach them vital life skills, and enrich their lives with fun experiences. It’s different from adoption because you won’t have full parental rights and responsibilities, so part of the job is also attending meetings and monitoring the child’s progress. You may also help to keep them in contact with their birth family, depending on the situation.
How long will I be fostering for?
This is entirely dependent on the individual circumstances. There are several different types of fostering, which means you can choose the one that best suits you. For example, short-term fostering could be anything from a few nights to a couple of years, whereas long-term fostering generally lasts until the child reaches adulthood.
What skills do I need to be a good foster parent?
There is no requirement to have any formal qualifications or childcare experience to foster a child. What makes you a good foster parent is being genuinely passionate and committed to giving the child in your care the best possible life. Of course, there are certain characteristics that will make you better suited for the role, such as:
- Patience – some children may take a while to trust you or exhibit challenging behaviors as a result of trauma
- Communication – you’ll need to find a way to communicate and bond with a young child
- Empathy – understanding what your foster child has experienced in their life and why they’re in foster care will make it easier for you to help them
- Resilience – at times, fostering can be a difficult job
- Positivity – having a sunny outlook will help your foster child to be more optimistic too, and make it easier for you to overcome any problems
- Energy – looking after young children can be tiring
If you’re not quite sure whether fostering is right for you, the best course of action is to talk to a professional fostering agency. This will enable you to get a realistic picture of what fostering is like and have all of your questions answered.
Find more family life ideas in our archives.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
