Suitable Homes for Fostering

Suitable Homes for Fostering

When you apply to be a foster carer, one of the first things that will happen is a home visit from the fostering agency. Although you are no doubt excited and ready to jump right in, they have to make certain that your home is suitable for the requirements laid down for carer’s homes. We take a look at what a suitable property encompasses for this purpose.

• Enough Space for Everyone

Your home must be adequate to allow everyone in the household to live and carry out all their daily activities. So, the agency will look at the space you and your children have to make sure it will not be crowded when a foster child arrives. Note that you do not need to have a house and garden provided you can accommodate all the residents. There are couples in two-bedroom flats that care for foster children, although they do not have other children. This leads to the next point – a dedicated bedroom.

• A Dedicated Bedroom

Each person in the household needs a suitable place to sleep. For children in care, that means a separate bedroom that is only for the foster child to occupy. If your biological children are under eight years old, they can share a bedroom even if they are of different genders. Children who are of the same gender should move into rooms of their own before they turn 13. So, the agency will be interested in the sleeping arrangements for everybody and whether this still allows a separate bedroom for the child in care as your biological children grow.

Additionally, all children under 11 must not sleep on a different floor from the carer or parent. It is important to be aware that your biological offspring cannot share a bedroom with a foster child. However, foster siblings may be allowed to use the same bedroom, depending on their ages and gender of each.

• Rental Versus Owned Property

If you own the property where you are living, then there need not be any issues. A rented property will also be approved provided you are a stable tenant and intend to remain there for the foreseeable future. Stability is important for children in care as their lives have been less than consistent and they have moved from their birth home to foster care, which is already a disruption in their lives.

• Getting Out and About

Although not having a driving licence and vehicle or being unable to drive will not exclude you automatically from fostering a child, it will make it a lot easier on you to meet the requirements. These include getting the child to school and back, to sports practice and events, and after-school lessons. There are also meetings and training sessions that you need to attend, and the foster child may need to attend therapy. You are also expected to see that the child has the opportunity for experiences such as holidays and trips to a museum or other similar venues that make for a richer, fuller life. You will of course receive an allowance from your agency to cover your expenses. Find out more at fosteringpeople.co.uk.

With these guidelines, you can determine if your home is suitable for fostering.

Article by Sally Giles.