Can I foster?
You already have what it takes to foster
Who Can Be a Foster Carer?
There Is no “typical” foster carer
Our foster carers come from every walk of life. We do not select people based on how they look, who they love, or what their background is. We select people who can provide a safe, loving, stable home.
You can apply if you are:
| Single, married, in a partnership, or cohabiting | A homeowner or renting |
| With children of your own — or without | Employed, retired, or seeking work |
| LGBTQ+ | From any faith or cultural background |
| Living with a disability — or able‑bodied | New to parenting — or experienced |
We do not discriminate based on ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, relationship status, or gender.
The Basic Essentials
There are a few legal and practical requirements:
- You are aged 21 or over
- You are a full‑time resident in the UK
- If applying as a couple, you have lived together for at least 12 months
- Any birth children in your home are at least 12 months old
- You live within the Black Country or surrounding area
Don’t rule yourself out! If you don’t meet every requirement right now but expect to in the future, please still talk to us — we can keep in touch and so that you can tell us when the time is right for you to foster.
Find the right type of fostering for you
Explore the types of fostering and discover which option could be right for you.
Frequently asked questions
The simple answer is yes. In many cases, you can work and foster. What matters most is whether your job allows you the time, flexibility and presence a child needs to feel secure and supported.
Whether you are single, divorced, widowed, or separated, you can play a vital role in providing safety, encouragement, and belonging. Many single people foster successfully and build strong, positive relationships with children in their care.
Every child over 24 months old needs their own bedroom. It is possible to start your fostering journey caring for under 2’s without a spare room. We are flexible, so talk to us.
Yes. Parenting experience helps, but so does caring for relatives, volunteering, or life experience – and you will get all the training & support you need.
Is there an upper age limit? No. We assess health and energy levels, not birth date.
Not at all. Your home just needs to be safe, suitable, and stable. But you may need the property owner’s permission to foster at the address. [B
Yes. Pets are usually a positive! They are included in the assessment. Certain breeds of dog may affect eligibility — we will discuss this openly with you.
We do not place children under 5 or those with health conditions in smoking households. We will support you to quit if you wish.
Minor offences won’t necessarily stop you. Offences against children or violent/sexual crimes will. We review every case individually — be honest with us and we will be open with you.
Not automatically, but you will need reliable ways to get children to school, appointments, and contact sessions. We will discuss transport options.
The allowance covers most daily costs. You should not be out of pocket — we are happy to explain our full financial package.
Start your fostering journey today
Leave your details with us if you'd like to find out more about fostering and one of our team will be in touch.
Contact our team to start your fostering journey today