Becoming a Foster Carer

What will be expected of you

like children and be prepared to put children’s needs first
be willing and able to look after a child when they can’t stay with their own family
have time to listen, plus patience, tolerance, understanding and huge reserves of energy!
be willing to work as part of a team with social work staff, families, teachers and health professionals
be committed to equal opportunities regardless of disability, race or beliefs.

you’re taking on a big commitment, caring for someone else’s children - maybe for a few days, weeks, months or even years;
you have responsibility for their health, welfare and education;
you’ll be caring for children who may have had traumatic experiences - for instance, neglect; physical, sexual or emotional abuse;
you may have to deal with difficult, disruptive and demanding behaviour at times;
you still keep a sense of humour when the going gets tough!
you’ll be working with the child’s family and encouraging regular contact with them;
you need to be prepared for the child to go back to their own family when the time comes.