So, you have made a big decision and you want to become a foster carer, what’s next? Where do you go from here? This choice is a life changing one in many ways, but in order to become a trained and qualified carer you must first go through the motions. There will be people to meet and things to learn along the way, and this guide explains how you can take this leap forward and become the foster carer you always dreamed of being.
Check You Meet the Requirements
To foster a child in the UK you have to meet certain criteria. All carers must be over 21 years of age. They must have a spare bedroom, enough time to give, and no major criminal convictions like anything related to abusive behaviour. If you are ticking all of the boxes so far, congratulations! You can now think about moving on to stage two.
Stage Two: What Kind of Carer Do You Want to Be?
There are many types of foster carers. While all children come into care as a short-term thing, this can shift in any direction and become a long-term placement, a therapeutic one or you may be more open to providing respite for full-time carers instead. Whichever road you take, they are all rewarding and make a difference in the lives of young people. Think long and hard about what you can provide and how you want to do it. For example, some carers have a few spare bedrooms in their home and therefore could open themselves up to the possibility of accepting siblings.
The Role of a Foster Carer
You must also understand exactly what is expected from an active foster carer. There will be different tasks to carry out every day, and no two moments will ever be the same. When you are looking after a child you will have to keep them safe while observing all of the safeguarding policies in place, ensure their basic needs are taken care of such as clothing and food, and provide support with therapy and school.
Picking Your Agency
The time will soon come to select your foster care agency. These are the establishments you work with, train with, and lean on for support during time with foster children. There are a range of agencies out there including mainstream ones and therapeutic providers like ispfostering.org.uk.
Be Ready for the Initial Conversation
Once you have selected the right agency for you, it will be time for an initial conversation about why you want to foster and what you can bring to the role. While you certainly don’t need any prior experience, it is beneficial to represent your intentions and reasons for wanting to become a carer. This conversation is where you will be able to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of what’s required too.
Start Training
If you feel ready to go ahead, you will begin training programmes to become a qualified carer. These are important and will carry on throughout your entire time in this role.
Getting into foster care is straightforward, as long as you know what you want. Don’t be afraid to research different agencies and be really sure of the decision before you go ahead.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.