Foster Care
Requirements
“We didn’t think we’d be eligible at first, but after speaking to someone, it became much clearer.”
Who Can Become a Foster Carer?
Many people are surprised to learn that they could become foster carers.
There is no single type of person who fosters. People from a wide range of backgrounds, ages and life experiences can provide safe and supportive homes for children.
What matters most is your ability to offer stability, patience and care during an important time in a child’s life.
Basic Requirements to Foster
There are a small number of key requirements to become a foster carer:
You must be aged 18 or over
You will usually need a spare bedroom, although we also recruit baby only foster carer.
You must not have convictions involving harm to children
Beyond this, the process is about getting to know you, your household and your ability to provide a safe and supportive environment.
I assumed as a I was single, I wouldn't be able to foster a child. Thinking this stopped me from making that first call for 2 years. That's 2 years I could have give a home to a child.
Do You Need a Spare Bedroom?
In most cases, a spare bedroom is required so that a child has their own space.
However, Greater London Fostering is actively recruiting foster carers for babies. In these situations, a spare bedroom may not always be necessary, as babies can sleep in a cot in the carer’s bedroom.
If you are unsure about your situation, we are happy to talk it through with you.
You probably have a lot of questions about fostering.
Luckily we have a lot of experience, so can usually answer them honestly. We are really happy to have an informal chat with you, about fostering, whether you are suitable, and what it’s really like. So why not arrange a 15 minute call – we promise you it will save you several hours of searching the internet for answers, plus, we really love talking to people about fostering.
Your Background and Experience
You do not need formal qualifications or professional childcare experience to become a foster carer.
Many people bring valuable experience from everyday life, such as:
raising their own children
supporting family members
working in people-focused roles
life experience and resilience
We provide training and ongoing support to help you develop the skills you need.
Your Home and Lifestyle
Foster carers come from a wide range of living situations.
You can foster if you:
own your home or rent
are single, married or in a relationship
are working or not working (depending on flexibility and support)
What matters most is that you can provide a safe, stable and supportive home environment.
Support Available to You
Becoming a foster carer is not something you do alone.
When you foster with Greater London Fostering, you receive:
Support from a dedicated supervising social worker
Ongoing training and development
Guidance when challenges arise
Support outside of normal working hours
We focus on making sure you feel confident and supported throughout your journey.
Financial Support For Foster Carers
People don’t become foster carers because of the money. They do it to make a difference in a child’s life.
But it’s equally true that fostering needs to be financially manageable, so that carers can focus fully on providing stability and care.
Foster carers receive a weekly allowance to support them in their role.
At Greater London Fostering, this is currently:
£479.50 per week for children aged 10 and under
£507.50 per week for children aged 11 and over
This payment is made up of two parts. The first is to cover the day-to-day costs of caring for a child, such as food, clothing, activities, and household expenses. The second is a professional reward, recognising the time, commitment, and responsibility involved in fostering.
Foster carers are not expected to manage financially on their own. Alongside the weekly allowance, you will also receive guidance, training, and ongoing support to help you feel confident in your role.
For many people, fostering becomes both a meaningful way to support children and a sustainable role within their household.
If you would like to explore this in more detail, you can read more here:
👉 https://greaterlondonfostering.org/foster-care-money/
Still Not Sure?
Many people start by simply asking questions.
You don’t need to know everything before getting in touch — we can help you understand whether fostering could work for you.
Take the First Step
If you would like to find out more, we’re happy to talk things through with you.
Contact us
or
Arrange a call back
There’s no pressure — just an opportunity to find out more.