Who can foster?

Almost anyone can foster. Find out more about who can foster with Action for Children Fostering.

If you’re over 21, a permanent resident with the right to work in the UK and have a spare room, the chances are that you can be a foster carer.

Action for Children foster carers come from all walks of life. A wide range of foster carers will give us more choice to better match with the diverse range of children and young people who need a safe and loving home.

We’re looking for caring people who can give a child in need their time, attention, affection and a safe, nurturing place to call home.

Foster carers need to be great listeners, optimistic, realistic, warm and passionate. If you have space in your heart to change a child’s life - you can be a good foster carer. You don’t need to be perfect; you just need to be you.

Foster carers can be single, married or somewhere in between. Homeowners or tenants. With children, no children or a house full of pets. Action For Children Fostering welcomes people from all ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community. There’s zero pressure and zero commitment when you first explore fostering.

Whatever stage of life you’re at, if you could provide a child with loving care, stability and support and you’re committed and keen to learn, you could start your fostering journey with us. Just bring who you are and we’ll bring support shaped around you.

Can you answer "YES" to all of the following:

Find out if you are eligible:

Are you over 21? YES/NO
Do you have a spare room? YES/NO
Do you have time to spare to dedicate to caring for a child? YES/NO
Do you enjoy the company of children? YES/NO
Are you fit and healthy with enough energy to look after a child? YES/NO
Are you free of any past, present or pending criminal convictions involving a sexual offence or an offence against a child? YES/NO
Are you a permanent resident of the UK? YES/NO
Are you either single or in a secure, long-term relationship? YES/NO
Are you willing to attend training sessions, support groups and be part of a team? YES/NO
Can you provide references from someone who has known you for over 3 years? YES/NO

If you have answered YES to all of the above you are now ready to begin your fostering journey with us.

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Chat with your local team

We have offices across the UK in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Contact someone local to you by text, WhatsApp, email or phone. Whatever works best for you.

Your local team