If you've ever wondered whether fostering might be for you, the honest answer is: it probably could be. Most of the assumptions people make about who can and can't foster turn out to be wrong.

Fostering agencies — including us — are looking for people who are warm, patient, resilient, and genuinely committed to a child's welfare. Those qualities come in every shape, background, and life circumstance.

The basics

What you need to get started

There are a small number of straightforward requirements for all foster carers.

Age 21 or over

You need to be at least 21 years old. There is no upper age limit — what matters is your health and capacity to care.

A spare bedroom

Any child placed with you needs their own bedroom. Beyond that, your home doesn't need to meet any particular standard — it just needs to be safe and welcoming.

Living in England

We are registered with Ofsted to place children in England. You must be a UK resident with the right to remain and work in the country.

A support network

Fostering can be demanding. We look for people who have family, friends, or community around them — people who can offer practical and emotional support when it's needed.

Common questions

Things people often worry about

Most assumptions about who can foster turn out to be wrong. Here are some of the questions we hear most often.

"I'm single — does that matter?"

Not at all. Around a third of all approved foster carers in England are single. We assess you as an individual, looking at your resilience, your support network, and your ability to give a child the stability and care they need. Being in a relationship is not a requirement.

"We rent rather than own our home."

That's fine. You do not need to own your property to foster. You will need your landlord's written permission, and you'll need to have sufficient space — but renting is not a barrier. Many of our approved carers rent privately or through a housing association.

"I work full-time."

It depends on the age and needs of the child. Some carers continue working, particularly when caring for school-age children. Others adjust their hours or take a career break. We'll explore what's realistic for you during the assessment — there's no single rule.

"I have a disability or health condition."

A disability or health condition does not automatically prevent you from fostering. Every application is considered individually. The question is whether your condition would significantly affect your ability to meet a child's needs — not whether you have one at all.

"We don't have children of our own."

That's not a problem. Many excellent foster carers have never parented before. Life experience, empathy, patience, and resilience matter far more than whether you've raised birth children.

"I'm LGBTQ+."

We welcome applicants from every background and family structure. Your sexual orientation or gender identity is not a factor in how we assess you. What matters is the quality of care you can offer a child.

"I have a criminal record."

This is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Certain serious offences — particularly those involving children or sexual violence — will disqualify an applicant. But many people with older or minor convictions have gone on to become approved carers. If you're unsure, the best thing to do is speak to us in confidence.

"We already have children at home."

That's absolutely fine. Many foster carers do. Your children's wellbeing and views are taken into account as part of the assessment, and any child placed with you will be matched carefully to your family circumstances.

What we look for

It's about who you are, not your circumstances

The assessment process exists not to catch people out — it exists to get to know you properly and make sure any child placed with you will thrive.

The qualities we see in our most effective carers are:

Warmth and empathy — the ability to build trust with a child who may have experienced significant trauma
Patience and resilience — fostering can be challenging; it helps to be someone who can stay steady when things are hard
Openness — a willingness to learn, to work with our team, and to reflect on your practice
Commitment — children in foster care need consistency; we look for people who are serious about the long term
A safe and welcoming home — not a showpiece, but somewhere a child can feel settled and secure

If you recognise yourself in that list, we'd love to hear from you.

Not sure if you qualify?

The quickest way to find out is to use our short eligibility check — it takes about 60 seconds and will give you an honest answer. Or if you'd prefer to talk it through with a real person, just call or email us. There's no pressure and no commitment.

Check your eligibility Talk to our team

Any conversation with us is completely confidential. We'll never share your details without your permission.

Who can foster?