Frequently Asked Questions

No. You can foster whether you own or rent your home, as long as you have a spare bedroom for the child. If you rent, your landlord will need to provide written consent.

Absolutely. Single people make excellent foster carers. There is no requirement to be in a relationship.

No. There is no upper age limit. Many foster carers are in their 50s, 60s, and beyond. Your health and energy are assessed, not your birthday.

It depends on the nature of the offence. Minor offences from years ago are unlikely to be a barrier. Offences against children or involving violence will disqualify you. All applicants undergo an enhanced DBS check.

Yes. The UK actively welcomes LGBTQ+ foster carers. Discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is unlawful.

Yes. Many foster carers work, particularly those offering respite care or caring for school-aged children. Some placements may require you to be available during school hours.

Generally yes, with restrictions. Most agencies will not place children under 5 with smokers. You must smoke outside and away from children.

Yes, this is a requirement. The foster child must have their own bedroom. They cannot share a bedroom with a child of the opposite sex if either is over 10.

Fostering income varies by agency and placement type. National minimum allowances for 2025/26 are expected to range from £170–£260 per week depending on the child's age. Many agencies pay additional fees of £100–£400+ per week on top.

Foster carers benefit from HMRC's Qualifying Care Relief. You receive a tax-free threshold of £18,140 per year plus £375–£450 per week per child. Most foster carers pay no income tax on their fostering income.

Some agencies (particularly IFAs) pay a retainer when you're between placements. This varies by agency, so ask before signing up.

The fostering allowance covers the child's day-to-day costs. Many agencies also reimburse mileage, provide holiday allowances, and offer birthday/festival payments.

The assessment process typically takes 4–6 months from initial enquiry to panel approval. Some agencies offer fast-track routes for experienced carers (3–4 months).

The Form F is the comprehensive assessment carried out by a social worker. It covers your personal history, relationships, health, home environment, and parenting capacity, typically over 6–10 home visits.

Your completed Form F is presented to an independent panel of professionals and experienced carers. They ask questions, then recommend approval or deferral. A decision-maker confirms their recommendation.

You can express preferences about the age, gender, and number of children you feel able to care for. Your agency will match you based on these preferences and your skills.

You will have a supervising social worker, access to training, peer support groups, and a 24/7 helpline. Your agency is responsible for ongoing support throughout your fostering career.

Yes. Foster children attend local schools. You may need to arrange school transport, attend meetings with teachers, and support homework.

In most cases, yes. Contact with birth parents is arranged by the social worker and is an important part of the child's care plan. Contact may be supervised or unsupervised depending on circumstances.

You are expected to keep daily logs recording the child's wellbeing, activities, and any significant events. These records are reviewed by your social worker and may be needed for Ofsted inspections or court proceedings.