Foster families are urgently needed for children of all ages, including those with physical and learning disabilities.
You may have what it takes to be a foster carer. Some people want to help children through a difficult period in their lives. They feel that their own family is complete and whilst they enjoy caring for vulnerable children they may not want children to be a permanent part of their lives.
Fostering can be a short term way of offering a child a home until they can return to their parents. However some children cannot return home but still feel part of their own families and wish to continue to have contact with them.
If a child is placed with a family on a long term fostering basis it is anticipated that the child will grow up with these foster carers and remain there until the time is right to move on to independence.
Foster carers come from all walks of life although age, health and criminal records will all be taken into consideration. You must be over twenty one, sufficiently healthy to cope with the emotional, psychological and physical demands of caring for other people’s children and be without a criminal record for certain offences, such as offences against children.
Children who need a foster home come from a wide variety of backgrounds. You’ll need a real commitment to caring for children, plus plenty of energy, understanding and patience. A sense of humour can be a lifesaver.
It doesn’t matter if you are married, divorced, living with a partner or single: own or rent your home: have a job or not. Applicants are welcome from all sections of the community. The one thing that everyone must have is a commitment to children and young people and preferably a spare room.
