At Wholistic Fostering, we believe that great foster carers come from all walks of life. Whether you’re single, married, retired, from a particular faith or no faith at all—what matters most is your ability to provide a safe, nurturing and stable home for a child in care.
That said, the fostering assessment process is thorough, and there are a few circumstances that could prevent someone from becoming a foster carer.
We encourage you not to rule yourself out before having a conversation with us. Many people think things like past mental health challenges or renting their home are disqualifiers—but they’re not. However, there are a few key factors that would prevent approval:
If you have a criminal record for offences involving violence, harm to children, or sexual offences, you will not be eligible to foster. This is a safeguarding requirement to protect vulnerable children, many of whom have already experienced trauma.
Other past convictions (especially non-violent or minor ones) may not automatically disqualify you. These are considered on a case-by-case basis, with honesty and transparency playing a big part in how they’re assessed.
We recognise that pets are part of the family—and many foster children benefit from their presence. However, there are certain dog breeds prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991/1997 (such as Pit Bull Terriers and Japanese Tosas) that cannot be present in foster homes.
We’ll conduct a pet assessment as part of your application and always prioritise safety and compatibility.
A health issue or disability does not automatically rule you out from fostering. Many excellent foster carers live with physical or mental health conditions.
However, if your health is significantly impaired in a way that would prevent you from meeting the demands of caring for a child—or if you require personal care yourself—you may not be approved as a foster carer. Each case is looked at individually, and we assess your current health, how it’s managed, and your capacity to offer consistent care.
Fostering requires time, flexibility, and emotional presence. If you're applying as a single foster carer and work full-time outside the home, you’re unlikely to be approved. Foster carers must be available for school runs, appointments, emergencies, and meetings with professionals.
If you’re part of a couple, you may be able to share responsibilities—so one of you is always available. Part-time work may be acceptable, especially if your employer is flexible and supportive.
A foster child must have their own bedroom—it’s essential for their privacy, safety, and wellbeing. Unfortunately, if you don’t have a spare room, we won’t be able to approve you.
Children in care need their own space to play, sleep, and process emotions. The bedroom should be on the same floor as yours or above, and it must be properly furnished and sized.
Shared rooms are only considered in very specific cases—such as same-sex siblings—and are always assessed carefully.
Many people wrongly assume they won’t qualify due to their background or personal circumstances. Here’s a list of things that won’t disqualify you:
✅ Being over 21
✅ Being single or male
✅ Your Sexuality
✅ Renting your home
✅ Having a disability (depending on your health)
✅ Having your own children
✅ Having a past in care yourself
✅ Having no specific qualifications
We’re looking for people who have:
If that sounds like you, let’s start a conversation.
We understand that everyone’s situation is unique. If you’re unsure whether you meet the requirements, get in touch for an informal chat with our friendly team. We’ll guide you through the process and help you understand your options.
