Becoming a foster carer
How to Become a Foster Carer
Becoming a foster carer starts with a conversation. The application process then helps you and the agency decide whether fostering is right for you, your family and the children who may need your care. Organic Fostering will explain each stage and give you time to make an informed decision.
Eligibility
Can I become a foster carer?
You may be able to foster regardless of relationship status, sexuality, faith, ethnicity or whether you own or rent your home. You do not need to have children or previous professional childcare experience.
Organic Fostering has a small number of practical starting requirements, and a fostering adviser will talk them through with you. Other practical requirements — including the minimum age to foster, your right to live in the UK and the bedroom space you can offer — are confirmed with you at first contact.
A health condition, disability, past difficulty or relationship breakdown does not automatically prevent you from fostering. It will be discussed carefully during assessment.
The process
How to become a foster carer
- 1
Make an initial enquiry
A fostering adviser asks about your circumstances, explains the role and answers your questions.
- 2
Have an initial visit
A team member meets you at home to discuss your household, spare bedroom, family circumstances and motivation.
- 3
Submit your application
If you and Organic Fostering agree that it makes sense to continue, you complete a formal application. Applying does not guarantee approval; it begins the full assessment.
- 4
Complete assessment and checks
An assessing social worker gets to know you and your family. The work includes social-work conversations, enhanced DBS and local authority checks, medical information, references, and home, pet, financial and support-network discussions.
- 5
Attend preparation training
You attend a fostering preparation course covering children's experiences, safeguarding, attachment, behaviour, safer caring and professional responsibilities.
- 6
Attend fostering panel
The completed assessment goes to a fostering panel. You normally attend with your assessing social worker. Panel makes a recommendation; the agency decision maker makes the formal decision.
- 7
Begin matching
Once approved, the team builds a profile of your household and considers referrals. You should receive available information, have time to ask questions and be involved in deciding whether a proposed match is appropriate.
Common questions
Timescales and costs
How long does it take?
GOV.UK says the application process can take up to eight months. Checks, references, applicant availability and individual circumstances all affect timing, so we cannot promise a completion date.
Does it cost anything to apply?
Ask your fostering adviser about any costs before you apply. We will explain what is involved at your first conversation, so you know where you stand before going any further.
Preparation
Before you apply
A little preparation makes your first conversation more useful. It helps to think through the points below before you get in touch.
Next step
Take the first step
You do not need to have everything worked out before contacting the team.
Take the first step
Your fostering questions can start with one conversation
Tell us what you are thinking and ask what matters to you. A member of our Manchester team will explain the next step without pressure or obligation.