Most commonly asked questions
Why do children need to be fostered?
Children need to be fostered for many different reasons and generally it is a combination of factors rather than just one. Essentially children’s needs are not being met within their immediate family. In some cases children’s needs are being abused and they need a place of safety and the opportunity to grow and develop in security and care. Foster care may be just a temporary phase, could be more long term or it can be for the remainder of that child’s childhood. .
Children may have a background where parents are struggling with
- Parenting skills & have experience of poor parenting themselves
- substance misuse
- housing problems,
- absence of extended family support,
- mental health issues,
- isolation within communities and lack of community support,
- a variety of disabilities, vulnerabilities and lack of life skills.
The majority of children who need to be fostered are returned to live with their families sometimes quite quickly and others after a longer period when work and the necessary changes have been made to ensure the child can continue to grow up and reach his/her potential.
What kind of children are fostered?
There is no one particular kind of child and indeed it is important to recognise that it is the child’s circumstances and background which lead to foster care in almost all cases. The children who do come into foster care have however often experienced
- Being let down by the adults in their life
- Being passed around family members
- The need to grow up more quickly than their peers
- The witnessing of domestic abuse
- Intermittent attendance at school
- Difficulties in maintaining relationships
- Muddled personal boundaries
- Inconsistent guidance and discipline
Do Foster Carers have training?
Carers have initial training before beginning to provide foster care and then continue to have training throughout their fostering career. Much of this training is mandatory but training is also provided in response to the particular issues and needs of individual groups of carers.
Do Foster Carers receive support from the BCBC Fostering team?
Foster carers receive support from the Fostering Team on a regular basis and also in response to particular circumstances. There is a dedicated worker and team available during office hours and there is an Emergency Duty team outside of office hours. Foster carers need support from a variety of sources and in addition to the Fostering Team they have contact with a dedicated experienced foster carer and the social worker for the child. There are monthly support meetings of carers in Coffee mornings in two venues across the Authority and many carers also develop close links with their own small group of colleague carers and supports.
Is there funding available for Foster Carers?
Foster Carers receive an allowance for the child which is in line with the National guidance for fostering allowances for children. Foster Carers are given guidance as to what the allowance covers. After a successful year’s fostering, their willingness to sign up to undertake the relevant NVQ and there being NVQ Assessor capacity foster carers are able to register to begin the NVQ Award and in doing that they receive a small fee on top of the allowance. Once they achieve the NVQ Award that fee increases to a higher amount.
If I work can I still foster?
It is possible to work and foster but there does need to be considerable flexibility in the job in order to ensure that there is an adult available to meet the child’s needs. The age of the child whom is fostered needs close attention but clearly supports and provision for the child when there is no school or in the event of illness need to be robust.
Do I have to own my own home?
No you do not need to own your own home. You do need however to have space in your home for a child and their belongings and it does need to meet the health and safety standards for a child to grow up in safely and appropriately.
Do I have to be married?
No, you do not need to be married and we have many single carers amongst our foster carers. However whether you are married or not you do need to have good supports and understanding friends / relatives.
Does it matter if I have children of my own?
No it does not matter if you have children of your own. Your children do need to be happy with the proposal to foster and they will be involved, according to their age and understanding, with looking at what it means for them and your family.
Will Fostering affect my benefits?
No, fostering will not affect your benefits but you are advised you to inform the Benefits Agency that you are fostering and the allowances you receive.
Do I need special qualifications?
No you do not need special qualifications but you will need particular qualities including calmness, a sense of humour, perseverance, consistency, good supports, resilience and resourcefulness. If you have a family you will all need to want to become a fostering family and be prepared for uncertainties and difficulties together with successes and celebrations.
Do I have to go through lots of checks?
Yes you do have to go through a lot of checks. Fostering is a very significant responsibility since foster carers are looking after other people’s children. Bridgend and any other Fostering Agency needs to look thoroughly at what people have to offer, their background, their supports, their ability to work in partnership and attitude to advice and guidance, their current circumstances and how a child or children will fit into the family.
How long does the selection process take?
The selection process generally takes no longer than six months and often can be quicker. There may be a short wait however before the assessment process begins.
- Last Updated: 16/11/2007
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