What is Fostering?
Fostering is family care for children and young people who
cannot live with their own families for various reasons. Foster
carers provide a stable and nurturing family home to help children
in care develop and succeed. Fostered children may stay in touch
with their own family, and even return to live with them, however
some may need care for longer.
Why do children need fostering?
There are many reasons why children cannot live with their own
families, these include abuse, neglect, addiction, physical or
mental health issues and family breakdown. Sometimes children just
need a break, while some may need more long-term care. Suffolk
County Council do try where possible to put families back together,
but there is rarely a quick fix solution and the child’s needs must
come first.
Who can be a foster carer?
There is no such think as a typical foster carer; they come from
all walks of life. You don’t need any formal qualifications; The
Suffolk Fostering Service will provide training and on going
support. Foster carers can be male or female, in full time or part
time employment or unemployed. They may have their own children or
be childless, and come from any race religion or culture. The
important factors are your experience with children and motivation
to foster.
Can I foster even if I’m not married?
Applicants may be single, married or living with a partner of
either sex.
If you have experienced a significant event such as a separation or
bereavement we would likely recommend you wait at least a year
before proceeding with the fostering process.
How long does it take to become a foster carer?
The whole process from making an enquiry to becoming an approved
foster carer takes between 6 to 8 months.
Is there an upper and lower age limit for fostering?
Foster carers are recruited between 21 and 65 years of age.
Do I need a spare bedroom to foster?
Yes – fostered children should have their own room, although it
may be appropriate for fostered siblings to share a room.
If however you would like to foster babies they may sleep in
your bedroom initially but you should have a room available to move
the child into in future, in case they are still with you when they
reach 12 months old. The child may then move into a room with
another child under the age of 8 years, as a short-term
arrangement.
I do not have room now but am hoping to move, can I
foster?
If you do not have a spare room we would advise that you wait
until you have moved to begin the main part of the assessment
process.
If you are moving to a new area, we would also suggest that you
wait until you have settled into your new home and built up a local
support network. We therefore recommend you wait at least a year
before proceeding with the fostering process.
Can I foster if I smoke?
The Suffolk Fostering Service will not place children in homes
where people smoke inside the house. Currently we will not place
children under 3 years of age (36months) in households that smoke
even if people smoke outside.
Are foster carers paid?
All foster carers receive an allowance to cover the cost of
caring for a child in their home. This is not counted as an income
and is not taxable. Foster carers who look after a disabled
child, in some circumstances, can receive additional benefits and
allowances.
Suffolk County Council also has a Skills Level 2 (fee paid) scheme
that offers an income in addition to the allowance for people who
have substantial experience of caring for children other than their
own e.g. people who have prior experience of fostering or relevant
professional experience such as residential workers.
Becoming a foster carer should not affect any welfare benefits your
family receives.
Can I work and still foster?
Different types of fostering place different demands on time and
commitment. What's required will depend on the child's age, whether
they have started school and what arrangements you can make to care
for the child during school holidays, or other absence such as
sickness, and what your support network can offer.
Will a child attend my local school?
This will depends on the individual child’s circumstances. Often
when a child is experiencing change and disruption in their lives
it is beneficial for them to remain attending the school they are
already at. The child’s wishes will be taken into account and the
travel times involved, as well as the long term plans for the
child.
Can I foster a child close to the age of my own child?
Experience has shown that in many cases fostering a child of a
similar age to your own can lead to jealousy, competition and
placement breakdown. Children need to feel as though they have a
unique place in the home. We generally therefore recommend an age
gap of at least two years between children placed and your own.
There is some flexibility in this with shared care.
What is Link?
The Suffolk Link scheme is part of the fostering service, and
provides regular short breaks for disabled children and young
people and their families. Link carers share their own homes and
offer regular over night stays, if they have suitable
accommodation. These short breaks can offer a child new experiences
while giving their family some valuable time out.
Why do children need Link Care?
Link carers help children and young people who have a learning,
sensory or physical disability and their families. These children
may have varying levels of need, some may require physical
assistance and help with their care needs. Link carers help to
build their confidence, skills and self esteem by having fun and
supporting them in everyday activities.
Who can be a Link carer?
Link carers are committed, caring people, aged 21 or over who
come from a variety of backgrounds. What they share is an interest
in disabled children and young people and a willingness to work
sensitively with them and their families.
Visit the
Link
pages for more information.
What is the difference between fostering and adoption?
With fostering, parental responsibility usually stays with the
birth parents, unless a court order is made when it is shared with
the local authority, however the parents are still involved in all
the decisions about the child’s life. In many cases, children are
fostered only for a short time, before they return to their family,
get adopted or permanently fostered. This often means that children
in foster care have ongoing contact with their birth family.
With adoption parental rights and responsibilities pass to the
adoptive parents and the child will change their family name as
that of adoptive family Children may have little or no contact with
their birth parents. Contact may be indirect through letters.
Visit the
adoption
pages for more information.
Back to
fostering homepage