Who Can Foster?
Foster parents come from diverse backgrounds, and there’s no single blueprint for an ideal foster parent. What truly matters are the qualities, values and commitment you bring to support young people.
As a foster parent, you provide not just a home but a safe, loving and supportive environment. We want children and young people to feel valued and secure. You’ll be there to share their joy, offer comfort in difficult moments and encourage them to reach their full potential.
To become a foster parent, you need to meet these minimum requirements:
- Age: You must be at least 21 years old
- Residency: Be a British citizen or have indefinite leave to remain
- Space in your home: Have at least one bedroom suitable for a child or young person
- Transport: Drive or have easy, consistent access to a car.
- Location: Live in or near Middlesbrough, Stockton, Darlington, Hartlepool, Newcastle, Durham, Sunderland or Washington.
“We started with short-break care, to see how it went, then decided to become long-term foster parents and we’ve never looked back. The support from Changing Futures has made us feel prepared and listened to.”
- John, Foster Parent in Hartlepool
Qualities, skills and values of foster parents:
Some of the qualities, skills and values you really need to foster are:
- Compassion: You display empathy towards the experiences and emotions of foster children.
- Patience: You recognise that children may need time to adjust and trust. They’re entering a new home and may find it difficult at first.
- Resilience: You’re able to work through challenges and tough situations. You will receive support from the fostering community.
- Connection: You build connections with the children you care for and their social workers. You will need to communicate with birth families, other foster parents and agency staff.
- Commitment: You’ll provide a warm, safe, and loving home. This could be on a short-term or long-term basis.
Common Myths
- Marital Status: Both single applicants and couples can foster.
- Sexual Orientation: People of any sexual orientation or gender identity can foster.
- Religious Background: We welcome foster parents from all religious backgrounds.
- Home Ownership: You don’t need to own your own home to foster, renting is acceptable.
- Parental Experience: Having your own children is not a pre-requisite. Many successful foster parents have no prior parenting experience. There are plenty of other instances where you may have offered support and care to the people in your life.
- Pets: Having pets can be beneficial for children. Your pet may be assessed during the application process. You can’t foster if you have a breed of dog registered under the Dangerous Dog Act.
- Health Conditions: People with health conditions may be able to foster. Each situation will be assessed on a case by case basis.
- Criminal Record: People can have some criminal convictions and be foster parents. We take into account what happened when, why and what’s changed since. We can’t accept foster parents who have got a criminal record for violence or sexual offences.
Additional Considerations
- Financial stability: Fostering does come with financial support and tax benefits. However, it’s important to check your financial readiness if you’re adjusting your working commitments. Find out more over on our financial support page.
- Support system: Having a support network, including family, friends and community resources can be helpful. We also offer incredible support for you and the child in your care. Read more about the support we offer here.
Fostering is a big commitment. With the right qualities and support, you can make a profound difference in a child’s life. If you’d like to foster, please reach out to our team for more information and guidance on the next steps.
Want to learn more about fostering? Get in touch with our amazing team who can answer all of your questions about fostering!
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