Great!

We’re sorry, but you must be at least 21 years old to become a foster carer. (Although there’s no upper limit!)

Excellent!

Children and young people need privacy and their own space, so you need a spare room to be able to foster.

Great! Everyone who applies to become a foster carer must have a medical check-up.

Fostering can be demanding, so you need to be reasonably fit — both physically and emotionally. Everyone who applies to become a foster carer must have a medical check-up.

Fantastic!

You must be a resident in the UK for at least a year before you can apply to become a foster carer.

Fantastic!

A foster carer’s role can be a challenging one, so foster carers need to be people who like young people, who are good communicators and who are fun, curious, proactive, determined and supportive.

That’s good!

Having a criminal conviction won’t in itself mean you can’t become a foster carer. But if you or someone in your household has been convicted of certain offences, or has been cautioned for criminal offences against children and/or for some sexual offences, you will be unable to foster.