Who can foster
Almost anyone over 21 can foster. This is regardless of relationship status, whether you have kids or not, or whether your own your home or rent.
There is no upper age limit. Most pets are very welcome. You do not need specific qualifications as in-depth training is provided. A driving licence is handy but not essential. You must be able to speak and write in English and have good communication skills.
Fostering can fit around your family and career - lots of people carry on working. It all depends on the age of the children you want to foster and the support you might have available.
Things to consider:
- Do you have a spare bedroom? (not always needed for fostering babies)
- Are you available a minimum of one weekend a month? (for overnight or sleepover care)
- Could you care for a school-age child if they're ill and off school?
What age children could you foster
Our social workers help you work out what age children you are best placed to foster. This happens during the assessment and approval process.
Foster carers can look after babies, toddlers, school-aged children, or teenagers.
They might look after:
- Children only at weekends or during school holidays
- Multiple children, including family groups
- Children with special needs or disabilities
Who cannot foster
Becoming a foster carer is a significant responsibility. There are specific criteria that must be met to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children.
An application to become a foster carer will be declined if the below reasons apply to you or your household:
- Criminal convictions: if any household member has convictions or cautions against children or vulnerable adults, or other serious convictions
- Substance misuse: if you or anyone in your household misuses drugs or alcohol
- Discriminatory beliefs: if you hold restrictive or discriminatory beliefs that would affect your ability to care for children within current council policies
- Child protection concerns: if your own children have been taken into care/looked after, compulsorily removed, or have been the subject of child protection concerns by a local authority
On a case-by-case basis, we may still consider your application even if the below reasons apply to you and/or your household:
- Unsuitable guardianship: if you have been considered unsuitable as a guardian in private law proceedings
- Recent bereavement: if there has been a significant bereavement in your family within the last year
- Household composition: if there are numerous children aged two or under, or a significant number of dependent children in your household. Unless you have strong support networks and can demonstrate your capacity to care for them as well as foster.
- Health issues: if you or anyone in your household has had a significant health issue within the last year or has a severe health condition that could impact your ability to care for children
- Financial problems: if you are experiencing significant financial problems
- Family planning: if you are planning to have your own children, undergoing fertility treatment, or considering adoption in the foreseeable future
- Transient household: if your household has a transient resident population, such as being a guest house or offering accommodation to students, unless there is a separate entrance
- Smoking: ideally, you should not foster children under the age of five if anyone in the household smokes
Circumstances can change. For example, if time passes since a bereavement, you give up smoking or decide to prioritise fostering over having your own children, you may be able to apply.
Contact us if you have any specific questions about who cannot foster or you need further clarification.
Hear from our foster carers
Read about our foster carers, their experiences and the support they have received from Norfolk Fostering Service.
Fostering case studies (Go to Hear from our foster carers)Foster east logo
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