5 common questions aspiring foster carers ask during a home visit
Are you thinking about becoming a foster carer? We understand that applying to foster a child can feel overwhelming. At Focus Foster Care, we work hard to remove the stress from applying to foster. From your first phone call to your panel meeting, we’ll be by your side to offer reassurance and advice.
Every foster carer’s journey starts with a phone conversation and a home visit with a social worker. During this early stage, we encourage aspiring foster carers to ask as many questions as possible.
No matter how long you’ve been thinking about becoming a foster carer, it’s normal to feel anxious when speaking with a fostering agency for the first time. We regularly talk to aspiring foster carers who share similar concerns and ask the same questions.
If you are preparing to apply to foster and have lots of questions, you might find some of the answers you need right here. In this blog post we’re answering five questions inquiring foster carers frequently ask during a home visit.
Top 5 questions asked at foster carer home visits
Can I foster if I have a partner but we don't live together?
Yes, you can foster if you have a partner who doesn’t live with you.
In this situation, we would still expect your partner to be involved in the assessment process. Even if they do not live with you, your partner will need to meet with our social workers and have a DBS check. They won’t need to participate in the full assessment but a DBS is needed because your partner will likely have contact with the children you look after.
Circumstances can change and if your partner plans to move in once you have been approved to foster, they will also need to undergo a full assessment. Your partner will need to be approved as a foster carer if they are living with you and your foster children.
I work with children but I'm not a parent - can I foster if I don't have kids?
Yes, you don’t have to be a parent to be a foster carer.
Any experience with children can be taken into account during the assessment process. This includes looking after children in your extended family, working in the childcare sector, babysitting, volunteering at kids clubs and more.
Many foster carers do not have their own biological children.
Do you need a driving license to foster?
We prefer foster carers to have a driving license and their own vehicle, however it is not essential.
As a foster carer you will be responsible for making sure the children in your care get to school, appointments, activities and family visits. Getting a child from A to B is a lot easier when you have your own car.
We appreciate that not all aspiring foster carers have their own vehicle and we will still consider your application if you have reliable access to public transport. We need to know that the children you look after won’t have any issues arriving at the places they need to be on time.
So while it’s not essential for foster carers to have a driving license, it’s preferred.
How much do UK foster carers get paid?
Foster carers are paid a professional fee and a maintenance allowance is also provided to cover the costs of looking after a child.
Foster carers are only paid when they are looking after a child. You will not receive the professional fee or maintenance allowance if you don’t have a child placed in your home. Foster carers are also self employed and need to complete an annual tax return.
During your first home visit, our social workers will provide you with more information about finances when fostering.
Can you be a foster carer and still work?
Yes, you can work and foster at the same time.
As long as your job is flexible and can be worked around your fostering role, it is possible to do both. However, your fostering responsibilities need to take priority.
To continue to work and foster, your work schedule must allow you the time to do the school run, take children to their appointments, and make sure they get to their birth family visits. You will also need to have availability to care for children during the school holidays and to attend mandatory foster carer training, plus regular meetings with your social worker.
We always listen to the individual circumstances of everyone applying to foster with our independent agency. It’s not necessary to quit your job to pursue your fostering dreams, but it’s important to understand that life as a foster carer can be quite unpredictable and your work life can’t get in the way of your fostering duties. It is possible to work and foster if you have a strong support network, an understanding employer, and a flexible job.
Apply to become a foster carer today!
Are you interested in becoming a foster carer? Focus Foster Carer is a nurturing independent fostering agency, based in Kenilworth, supporting children and families throughout the West Midlands.
Contact our friendly team today to arrange your first home visit and begin your fostering journey. Call us on 0800 524 4797, or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
FAQs
What is the initial home visit for fostering?
The initial home visit for fostering is an opportunity for aspiring foster carers to:
- meet our social workers
- ask any questions they have about fostering
- share their circumstances
- decide if the fostering agency is the right choice for them
During this visit we will also take a look at your home to see if you have the space needed to look after a child. We will spend some time getting to know you a little better and sharing more information about the fostering role.
The initial home visit is your opportunity to find out if fostering is right for you and if Focus Foster Care feels like an agency you want to be a part of.
What are the stages of becoming a foster carer?
There are six stages to becoming a foster carer. From start to finish, the fostering process involves:
- Stage 1 – Initial enquiry
- Stage 2 – Home visit
- Stage 3 – Application form
- Stage 4 – Assessment and pre-approval training
- Stage 5 – Panel
- Stage 6 – Approval
Read our complete guide to becoming a foster carer to learn more about each stage of the application process.
How long does the fostering process take?
It typically takes around six months to become a foster.
This time frame spans from your first phone call to being approved by our fostering panel.
The time it takes to become an approved foster carer is determined by:
- How long the stage 1 background and DBS checks take
- Individual circumstances
- Applicant’s availability for stage 2 home visits
At Focus we aim to make the foster carer application process as stress free as possible. We will help you to complete your application forms and keep you updated on your progress.