In this blog, we’ll tell you about what disqualifies you from being a foster parent. Let’s put your mind at ease. Then, you’ll be ready to pick up the phone to the fostering team and make that call.
what disqualifies you from being a foster parent?
1. serious convictions
All our foster carers will undergo a DBS check before being accepted, to identify any criminal convictions.
We can’t accept your application if you, or any household members, have been arrested for assault, GBH, or another violent or sexual crime in recent years.
However, if a minor offence was a long time ago, we’d ask you to explain the circumstances to us. We’d then review the details and consider how much time had passed and what has changed since i.e. who you are now.
To be a foster carer, we need to know everything about you and your family. Just tell us.
We would much rather you told us if there’s something you think might affect your fostering application. We need to know that you’ll be open and honest when you are fostering.
2. too busy
Being a great foster carer requires patience and time. If you are in demand from a baby, elderly parents, or your job, this may not be the right time to squeeze more into your hectic diary.
3. unsuitable housing
You need a bedroom for the foster child to have their own space. Most local authorities require a spare bedroom, even if you are fostering a baby, so this really is a requirement.
You can read more about fostering bedroom requirements in our blog: what are the foster care bedroom requirements in the UK?
We also need local homes for foster children to keep them in their community. We welcome foster carers from all backgrounds, cultures, religions, sexualities, and genders – but you need to be a resident in the UK. We usually recommend that you foster with your own local authority, where you live, unless there is a good reason this wouldn’t work for you.
4. dangerous pets
Pets can provide a warm welcome to a child. Many of our foster carers have dogs, cats, tortoises, snakes, and even bees.
When our team visit a potential foster carer’s home, we want to see how the pets react to us. How might they react to visitors – especially children? But if your pet is a dangerous animal or has a history of biting someone, this may prevent you from fostering.
Please be aware that there are certain dog breeds that we cannot allow in foster homes – whether well-behaved or not. This includes any that you must register under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991/1997 like pit bull terriers.
5. poor health
To take care of others and be physically and emotionally available, we must look after ourselves.
If your health (physical or mental) could mean more instability for a foster child, or the challenge of fostering could mean a deterioration of your health, this may be a reason to not accept your application.
However, taking regular medication is fine. Being a heavy drinker or taking illegal drugs is not. If you smoke or vape, you can’t foster under 5s.
Your current health will be assessed by your own local GP and your suitability to be healthy enough to foster will be determined by our medical advisor as part of your fostering application.
other reasons you may be disqualified
- You are very particular about the type of child you want to foster e.g. only a certain age, sex, religion, or race
- You want to foster, but not everyone else in the household is on board or wants to be involved
- You insist a foster child must attend your church or other house of religious activity
- You travel abroad a lot and don’t want to stop. Read more: can you take a foster child on holiday?
reasons your home may not be suitable right now
- Open stairs that may pose a fall risk (a safety rail or barrier may be needed)
- Uncovered pools or ponds in the garden (usually an easy fix with a strong cover)
You have lots of security cameras (i.e. in communal rooms and bedrooms) - Bedrooms are walkthroughs to other rooms
- Unsafe visitors or lodgers i.e. You are related to a registered sex offender
reasons we may ask you to wait
- You have recently lost a child, spouse, or other close family member. You’ll need time to grieve before taking on a new challenge
- You are actively trying for a baby or are undergoing fertility treatment
- You recently had a baby. We’d ask you to wait at least six months after the baby is born to start an assessment
yes, you are qualified to foster
We are not looking for perfect people with perfect lives. Children are looking for foster carers who are genuine, authentic, solid, and dependable, as well as honest about their strengths and weaknesses. Someone who wants to help and will stick around for a while to guide them and walk beside them on their challenging road.
If you can be that someone – who can offer kindness, warmth and stickability, that can lead to lots of wonderful fostering success stories.
Start by checking this list of five things and reaching out to your local authority.
