Ever pondered what it takes to work as a foster care provider? Fortunately, all you need is love and devotion to the role—superhero status is not a must. This is probably the position for you if you wish to take care of kids in your house and help out in a circumstance that demands it. Continue reading to learn more about it.
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Foster Carers Need to Be Over 21
Whether you work with a private agency like fosterplus.co.uk or the local authority, you must be at least 21. Anyone under this age would be classed as too young to foster or look after a child in the way an agency or authority would need them to.
A Spare Bedroom Is Non-Negotiable
When fostering, having a spare bedroom in your house and some level of stability is a non-negotiable requirement. So, you don’t have to own your home, but you do need enough space for a child to live with you. Foster children do not need their own bathroom and will be expected to share the family home facilities.
No Major Criminal Convictions
Foster carers should have no major criminal convictions, which the DBS service will check. Agencies have an obligation to make sure all of their carers are safe for the children in their network. The homes should be safe, too, and any adult who doesn’t fit these criteria won’t be able to continue through the application.
Thinking About Empathy
A foster carer needs to have strong empathy skills alongside the practical requirements. This will help them get to know the young people they will look after and build a meaningful connection when the time is right. Empathy helps you understand what other people are going through and be in tune with strong emotions in the home environment. This will shape the way you care and make you a super role model for the children, too.
Communication
Are you a strong communicator? If this is one of your weaker areas, then it will be useful to work on this skill before you become an active carer. The reasons behind this are simple enough. First, you will be doing lots of talking and relationship-building at home with the foster children you look after. There will also be various meetings with your support team, school, and even healthcare providers where you need confidence to speak up and get results.
Do You Have the Time to Give?
When you foster a child, they come and live with you. They will be in your home all day and all night, which is a big factor to consider. It will change your routine; some people can handle this better than others. Make sure you have the hours to give before committing to the process.
So, could you be a foster carer? Only you can answer this question. The thoughts above are a great place to start exploring what it would mean for your life!
