ways to foster

who can foster

who can foster in caerphilly?

The fact that you’re here means you’ve made the first step on a journey of discovery, love and positivity for yourself and a foster child. This is great news!

It’s people exactly like you that foster children in Caerphilly need. Someone to listen to them. To believe in them. Someone to go the extra mile for them.

Whether you own your home or rent it, whether you’re married or single, whatever your ethnicity or sexual orientation. You can help change a young person’s life for good.

We celebrate the diversity of our foster carers. It’s the skills and experience you bring that matter most. We believe a wide and more varied skill set is a huge positive. What’s more is that foster children in Caerphilly have equally varied backgrounds and identities, so we welcome everyone’s uniqueness with open arms.

Still not sure who can foster a child in Caerphilly? Keep reading to find out.

foster myths: separating fact from fiction

No matter who you are, fostering is an opportunity to make a real difference to children in the Caerphilly community. Fostering can mean so many things – from overnight stays to something longer-term. It needs different people too.

That’s why we need diverse carers with different backgrounds, experiences and stories. Our role is to celebrate who you are, and all the unique skills and experiences you offer. We’re your dedicated expert base. Along with your friends, family and community, we all join forces to achieve the best for children.

When it comes to who can foster, we ask: can you make a difference, and do you want to? If the answer is yes, we can start making positive changes to a young person’s life.

 

can I foster if I work full time?

A busy work life isn’t always a hindrance to fostering. It’s about choosing the right type of fostering for your circumstances and making sure that your network can be
there to support you.

Some foster parents work full time and foster part time by offering short breaks. Others foster full time. Working towards your best interests, as well as the foster child’s, is at the heart of everything we do.

Fostering is a commitment, and it needs a team approach. We don’t expect you to navigate being a Caerphilly foster carer alone. You will work alongside the right mix of social workers, teachers and therapists, and we are here to support you at every step.

 

can I be a foster carer if I live in rented accommodation?

We have foster carers with all kinds of different homes – both rented and owned. Providing your living situation is safe and secure, this won’t stop you from helping a child progress in life. If you like where you live, someone else might too!

Think about it this way. Sure, your spare room could be used for storage. But it could also be something a little more amazing: a bedroom, a playroom, a safe space for someone that needs it.

 

can I foster if I have children of my own?

No child is the same, which naturally means no family is the same either. If you have children of your own, taking care of foster children means extending your family and adding more people to love and care for.

Having children who can engage with and get to know your foster child is nothing but positive, and for your own children, learning to accept someone new is valuable too.
It gives children insight, helps them form friendships and builds their ability to care for others.

 

am I too old to foster?

At any age, there’s an endless number of experiences you can offer a foster child. With no upper age limit when it comes to fostering, you can help those in need at almost any point in your adult life. We will always be there for you with expert local support and training, equipping you for anything that comes your way.

 

am I too young to foster?

Life experience is a great bonus but being young doesn’t mean you can’t be part of the Caerphilly fostering community. With our network of support to guide you, you can enjoy the path ahead, focusing on love, care and plenty of fun.

 

do couples who foster have to be married or in a civil partnership?

There are no special requirements around being in a relationship – marriage and civil partnerships aren’t a condition either. Children need stability, so whether you are single or in a relationship, if this is what you can offer then you could foster. Our local Foster Wales Caerphilly team will help you to work out if now is the right time for you.

 

can I foster if I’m transgender?

Absolutely. Being a good foster parent doesn’t hinge on your gender. If you can demonstrate love, compassion and care for others then the foster care community welcomes you.

 

can I foster if I’m gay?

Again, sexuality has no bearing on your suitability as a foster parent. Your ability to provide a safe environment for children to express themselves, have fun and learn is all that matters.

 

can I foster if I have a dog or cat?

We want everyone to get along as well as possible, that includes your pets! Having any kind of pet doesn’t mean you can’t foster. It means we will include them in your assessment to make sure they and any future foster children will get on well together.

In many cases, pets can offer a different kind of support and be a real benefit in a foster family, helping to teach responsibility, appreciation and care.

 

can I foster if I smoke?

Local Authorities have different policies around smoking (including e-cigarettes and vaping) and foster care, the most important thing is being honest. We’ll offer guidance on how to quit if you’d like to. In every case, it’s about finding the right match between your family and the children in our care.

 

can I foster If I’m unemployed?

Everyone has ups and downs with employment. What really matters is being a good foster parent, offering support, guidance and love every day. So, if you aren’t currently employed, this doesn’t have to stop you from becoming a foster carer. With many available options we’ll work with you to make sure it’s the right time for you.

 

can I foster if I don’t have a big house?

As long as you can provide a spare room, a space for a foster child to call their own, then you need not worry about the size of your house. It’s more about the love, care and attention that happens inside the house, that ultimately makes it a home for someone else. All you need is a spare room a child can call their own.

find out more about fostering

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types of fostering

There are many ways to make a difference. Fostering can mean a day, a week, a year or maybe more.

types of fostering
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common questions

How does fostering work and what can you expect? Find the answers here.

find the answers
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support and rewards

Fostering is rewarding in more ways than one. Find out what we offer.

what we offer
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get in touch