Can I become a foster carer?

Children in care need someone who can spend time with them, support them to learn and grow, and help them reach their developmental and educational milestones. Whether you become a foster carer specialising in long- or short-term, emergency, respite/short-break care, you will need to be willing and able to give your time generously to the children in your care. Great Carers realise that investing time in children through everyday moments is key to building healing relationships.

We know that with their families is the best place for children to be. It’s our responsibility to investigate and support all options for children to return safely home or to explore opportunities for them to live with extended family. As a foster carer, you will play an important role in helping children maintain and strengthen their relationships with their family and return home safely where possible. As a carer you will need to be open to partnering with families to help a child gain a strong sense of who they are, even when they can’t go home.

All children can do well with the right help, care and support, and all children deserve the opportunity to do great things. It’s important that as a foster carer you not only believe in a child’s potential, but that you also actively support each child to reach their goals and aspirations. Championing the unique strengths that each child has, and encouraging them to do great things, even in the small moments of everyday life, is an important part of your role as a carer.

Every child needs to feel like they are part of a family who loves and supports them. This is especially important when there are other children in the household. Each child needs to know they are special, and to feel included and valued. Foster carers need to have space in their homes – and hearts – to build a sense of belonging for children they care for.

Every child in care has their own specific challenges based on their age, life experiences, trauma, diagnosis or medical needs. Great carers are curious and interested, and do all they can to increase their knowledge and skills, in order to meet children where they are at in every moment. This includes learning from children, their families and your Life Without Barriers care team As a carer you will need to be patient, resilient and flexible in responding to the changing needs of children you care for.

Most children will be distressed when they are separated from their families, and many yearn to return home. It’s essential that foster carers help kids develop positive, lasting family relationships, to ensure they have a chance to go home, and are able to develop a healthy identity if this doesn’t happen. Children are more secure when they know that their foster carers accept, include and support their own family.

A child in care will benefit from developing relationships with your whole family. Being included in a secure, caring family that functions well is important. If you have children living at home, it’s important they are settled and happy, enjoy their own company, are comfortable sharing your time, are willing to share their space and belongings, and like being around other children. Fostering is something your whole family will be part of and it’s important that everyone is ready.