Frequently Asked Questions
Why are children fostered?
There are many reasons why children are fostered, for example:
- Birth family in crisis
- Child needing to be moved to a place of safety.
- Child suffering neglect /abuse
- Birth family unable to cope with challenging
Behaviour
How old are Foster Children?
From birth to beyond 18 is the full range, but children coming to Safehouses are usually between 9 & 16 years. Sometimes younger children are referred, when part of a sibling (family group), or when a placement involves a young parent and baby.
Could I/We Foster?
You need no written qualifications.
You don't need to be married or have a partner.
Safehouses welcomes people from all ethnic origins.
You do need to have had experience of bringing up or looking after children and young people, or other relevant life experience.
Safehouses will not normally consider Carers under 25.
You don't have to own your accommodation - but will have at least one bedroom available for fostering.
You will be required to undertake initial and on-going training for this complex task (a contractual obligation).
We do not have any particular events coming up for Foster Care Fortnight, but would like to invite people to contact us with a view to being included in our Skills to Foster courses. We will confirm when these are running shortly.
Safehouses is a Not-for-Profit fostering agency established for 11 years, which provides an individualised service to children.
Both Directors have been Foster Carers, giving them insight into the practicalities of fostering.
We are proud to have been awarded an “Outstanding” grading by Ofsted in our latest inspection.
Can I have a job as well as being a Foster Carer?
Safehouses Foster Carers can be employed, but it is expected that when a child is in placement at least one foster carer will be available to meet their needs at all times. If you choose to work, then you will need to be flexible to ensure this is possible. If you are a single applicant you will need to consider your support network, as well as your financial situation.
Whilst Safehouses offers a generous financial package, this is only paid while a child is in placement and should not be relied upon as a regular income.
Is there a difference between fostering for an Independent Agency and a Local Authority?
The overall responsibility for children/young people who are fostered always lies with the Local Authority. Local Authorities offer placements to Independent Agencies when they do not have appropriate resources 'in house.' This usually means the young person will have complex needs. In recognition of the skills required by foster carers to meet these needs, independent agencies offer high levels of support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Regular training and generous financial allowance reflects the potential demands of such placements.
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