What is fostering?
Fostering is caring for a child as part of your own family. This usually happens when their own family are unable to care for them for a variety of reasons, either temporarily or permanently. There are two main type of fostering; short-term fostering and long-term fostering. Short-term fostering can last from hours, days or months whilst it is decided what will be in the best interests of the child. Often children return home to their own family but sometimes they may remain in long-term foster care, this means that the child continues to live with the foster family until they are at least 18 years old.
Fostering is caring for a child as part of your own family. This usually happens when their own family are unable to care for them for a variety of reasons, either temporarily or permanently. There are two main type of fostering; short-term fostering and long-term fostering. Short-term fostering can last from hours, days or months whilst it is decided what will be in the best interests of the child. Often children return home to their own family but sometimes they may remain in long-term foster care, this means that the child continues to live with the foster family until they are at least 18 years old.
Some thoughts before you go any further:
Fostering is a family affair
Before you do anything further first talk to your partner, children and any other family members who live in the home. It is important that everyone in the family agrees on the decision to become a 'fostering family'. Also be clear about the reasons why you wish to foster.
Before you do anything further first talk to your partner, children and any other family members who live in the home. It is important that everyone in the family agrees on the decision to become a 'fostering family'. Also be clear about the reasons why you wish to foster.
Have you got a spare room?
Most fostering providers request that a foster child have their own room. Foster children will not be able to share a room with your own children so you need to think about the sleeping arrangements and how this will affect your own families' situation.
Most fostering providers request that a foster child have their own room. Foster children will not be able to share a room with your own children so you need to think about the sleeping arrangements and how this will affect your own families' situation.
Do you have the time available?
You need to think about how you are going to manage the care of the foster children afterschool and during the long summer holiday and how this fits in with your own commitments. Also you will need to be available to attend meetings on behalf of the child.
You need to think about how you are going to manage the care of the foster children afterschool and during the long summer holiday and how this fits in with your own commitments. Also you will need to be available to attend meetings on behalf of the child.
Once you have considered the above points then:
1. Contact your local council fostering service to find out about becoming a foster carer. If you wish you can also contact Independent Fostering Agencies to see if they are assessing in your area.
2. If you wish to go forward then a social worker will meet with you and your family to find out a bit more about yourselves and the reasons why you want to foster and view your home.
3. You will be asked to attend a training course usually over three days which teach you more about the skills you will need to develop as a foster carer.
4. If you are still interested then an assessment will begin and will cover everything about you including your own childhood and your experiences of parenting. Remember that this is thorough assessment and the agency will be asking lots of questions about you and your partner, relationships and family. This process can take anything from six to twelve months. Additionally you and your partner will have to provide references and satisfy police checks.
5. The assessment report will need to be presented to the agencies fostering panel. If the panel think that you will be a suitable foster carer you will be approved.
So that is it - the agency will match your family with a child who needs a caring family home and your journey begins as a 'Fostering Family'.
I have worked in the fostering sector for several years. I am currently completing a writing course to fulfill a passion and this is my first article on the road to becoming a published author. If this article helped then click on the smiley face.
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