Blogs Fostering

Myth 1: "You have to be married or in a relationship to Foster children"

A person’s relationship status isn’t important to us at Foster with Bucks, so long as you can provide a suitable and loving home for a foster child. We appreciate how the composition of the modern family can vary, and there are many single-parent happy homes in which a foster child could flourish just as other children have. Your support network will be discussed throughout the assessment process.

Myth 2: "I cannot afford to Foster"

As a Foster Carer with Foster with Bucks, we understand that fostering is a calling, and we believe that you shouldn't be out of pocket for fostering a child. That's why we offer a very generous allowance to cover any costs you might accrue. We also offer a comprehensive training prospectus, that we cover the costs of - this is the only way you will fulfil your potential. Our support network is designed so anyone committed and willing can afford to foster a child.

Myth 3: "You have to own your own home to Foster"

What's most important to being a successful foster carer is being able to offer a safe and supportive environment for a foster child. Whether you have a mortgage or rent is unimportant when it comes to your ability to offer this, so long as you can also offer a child their own bedroom, you have the ability to foster. Foster with Bucks will discuss your financial situation with you through the assessment process and will help you ensure that you are in a positive financial position to proceed.

Myth 4: "I cannot Foster because I have a disability"

Every new foster carer will go through a series of checks and assessments on registering their interest, during which, any disability you have will be noted. If you’re capable of taking care of a child and offering a caring home then your disability will not be a barrier to you proceeding with your application and being an amazing foster carer.

Myth 5: "You always have to give up your job to become a foster carer"

Although very young children or children with specific needs may require greater attention, you do not necessarily need to give up your job to foster a child. It may be that you have a partner and work different hours to cover a full day, or you choose to foster a child of school age and work around this: your job needn’t be a barrier to fostering. This will be discussed with you as you go through the application process.

Myth 6: "I cannot foster, because I am unemployed"

You can still foster a child if you are claiming benefits or in-between work. Again, what matters is whether you can provide a stable and caring environment for a foster child.

Myth 7: "You cannot foster if you have a criminal record"

A police check for everyone over 18 in a household is compulsory during the initial assessment process. Whilst it is true that offences against a child would more than likely rule you out and violent crime also makes it unlikely that you could foster with Foster with Bucks. However, having a criminal record doesn’t in itself stop you from fostering. It will depend on the nature of the offence, but we can discuss this through the assessment process.

Myth 8: "Single male carers cannot Foster"

This is simply not true! Men are able to foster and can bring a broad range of abilities and characteristics to the role of a foster carer, including presenting a positive role model.

Myth 9: "I cannot Foster because I am a member of the LGBTQIA+ community"

Let's be clear - at Foster with Bucks, we understand that your sexual orientation doesn’t affect your ability to raise a child. We are much more concerned with ensuring that you are providing a safe and caring environment for a child, and that is the most important thing. Just as there is diversity in the children in foster care, it is necessary to have diversity in the foster carer community. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are extremely well positioned to offer a rich environment to our children in care.

Myth 10: "You have to have had your own children to be able to Foster"

During the assessment process, we will ascertain whether you’ve had enough experience around children to foster, but this can come from helping to look after siblings or friends’ children, or looking after children through work. There are many ways to show your suitability and you do not necessarily have to have had children of your own.

If you have been thinking about Fostering, and feel that now is the time to start your journey, why not give us a call on our duty line on (01296) 674973, or email [email protected], where one of our friendly team will talk you through next steps.