Can I foster?
If you’re thinking about fostering, but are worried that you might not fit the mould - don’t worry, there’s no such thing as a typical foster carer:
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You don’t need to have had your own children, but some experience looking after children or young people is helpful.
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You can be single, married, living with a partner, lesbian, gay, transgender, or bisexual. All we ask is that you have a stable and supportive home environment.
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You don’t need to own your home. You can be renting, but you will need a spare room for the child. If you don’t have a spare room, you may be eligible to foster a baby aged 0-2 in your bedroom.
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You don’t need childcare qualifications; we’ll provide all the training you need, especially if you’re caring for children with specific needs. We’ll always consider your experience, knowledge, and skills to match the needs of the child before placing them with you.
"Fostering is the most
rewarding job I've ever done."
Ellen, foster carer
Eligibility Requirements for
Fostering with Barnsley Council
Age
To foster with Barnsley Council, you need to be over 21 years old, with space in your home and heart for a child. You’ll need patience, understanding, tolerance, and plenty of energy. There is no upper age limit as long as you are healthy and active enough to meet the needs of a child.
Residency
You must have a permanent or long-term residency in the UK. This includes people with indefinite leave to remain.
Health
You need to be in good physical and mental health. Having a long-term health condition or disability won’t necessarily prevent you from fostering unless it impacts your ability to look after the child. All potential foster carers have a medical check, and we consider a GP's and medical advisor's opinion before making a decision.
Spare Room
Your home, whether you own it or are renting, must have a spare bedroom for a foster child. This is important to make sure they have their own personal space. If you don’t have a spare room, you may be eligible to foster a baby aged 0-2 in your bedroom.
What we
need to
consider
Fostering can be a full-time job, so we’ll consider whether you’re currently working. You can still foster school-age children if you work, but you’ll need to be able to take them to and from school and look after them full-time during school holidays. If you don’t have the time for full-time fostering, you might want to consider fostering for short breaks or respite care.
Fostering requires time and dedication. You must be able to prioritise the needs of the child and attend training sessions and meetings. We will work with you to ensure this commitment is possible for you and your family.
Having a strong support network of friends and family is incredibly helpful. Fostering can be challenging, and having people to lean on makes a big difference. Here at Fostering Barnsley, we offer a range of support, including Mockingbird Hubs and dedicated, experienced social workers.
If you smoke or vape, we can’t place a child under five years old with you or a child with specific health needs or disabilities. We also expect you not to smoke around children or encourage them to smoke.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required to become a foster carer. Having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but certain offences might. We can discuss this during the application process.
Unsure about the process? Talk to one of our team today!
Fostering is a
magical experience
Why Foster
with Barnsley
Council?
You have the chance to make a real difference in a child’s life, providing them with the love and support they need to grow and thrive. We understand that everyone’s situation is unique, and we’ll talk through your personal circumstances with you. We’ll also make sure it’s the right time for you to foster, giving both you and the child the best chance to succeed.
If you choose to foster with Barnsley Council, you’ll receive support every step of the way. We provide:
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Financial support: Generous allowances and expenses to cover the cost of caring for a child.
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Training and development: Ongoing training to increase your skills and confidence.
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Local, experienced support: Access to a dedicated team of social workers and support staff.
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Community: Join a fostering community just down the road from you, where you can share experiences and support each other.
