Frequently asked questions:

• How old do I have to be to foster?
• Do I have to own my own home?
• Do I have to have had children?
• Can I foster if I have children living at home?
• What checks will you carry out?
• What things would prevent me from being a carer?
• Will I be paid?
• How long will children/Young People stay with me?
 

How old do I have to be to foster?

The minimum age is usually 25 years. However, we like to consider each application on its own individual merit and we will consider people who are younger if they are able to demonstrate that they have a lot of experience in working or caring for children/young people.

If you are in a relationship we expect that this has been for a minimum of 2 years.

We welcome applications from people who are single or in same sex relationships.
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Do I have to own my own home?

We recognise that not everyone is in a position to own their own home. If you live in rented accommodation you will need to provide written confirmation from the Landlord/Agency that you can foster in the property.
Foster children require their own bedroom and there should be space for children to play and do their homework.
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Do I have to have had children?

Carers are as diverse and individual as the children/young people they care for. Many carers may not have had their own children but have experience of caring for other people’s children or through their profession.
What is key is people’s aptitude to working with and wanting to understand the needs of children and young people.

Through our comprehensive assessment process (detailed in the section “Becoming a Carer”) we look at people’s ability and potential and build upon skills that people may already have.

During this assessment we look at how the needs of children who are fostered may differ from those within their birth families.
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Can I foster if I have children living at home?

Lots of carers have their own children living with them at the time they decide to foster as a family. During the assessment process we discuss the different types of placements that are required for young people and the wide range of emotional and behavioural needs of our children who are in foster care.

“ Matching” is a term that during the process you are likely to hear on many occasions.

Kasper Fostering works very closely with Local Authorities to ensure that we carefully match the needs of fostered children to the appropriate carers. We make sure we have detailed information (that is documented and shared with our Foster Carers) about all the identified needs including the cultural, religious, educational, emotional and physical needs of our young people.

Wherever possible we want to reduce the disruption they have already experienced and if at all possible provide foster families in their local community. Location is also extremely important to promote contact with birth family, when this has been agreed.

We will not place children with our foster carers if we have any identified concerns that your birth children’s needs will be compromised, or if there is insufficient information or lack of clarity and understanding of the young person’s needs.

Listening is paramount and we listen to the wishes of both our fostered and birth children. Their thoughts will be considered in detail during the assessment process to help us with future “matching”.
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What checks will you carry out?

As part of the assessment process we will carry out an enhanced criminal records check as well as checks with local Social Services Departments including all the Local Authorities where you have resided during the previous 10 year, Health and Education departments and the NSPCC. We also take up references from previous partners you have parented with or had a significant relationship with.

Additional references are required from current employers and if you are no longer working, your previous employers if the work involved working with vulnerable people.
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What things would prevent me from being a carer?

This list is not exhaustive as there will be occasions where we may have concerns as to people’s suitability but the following list provides some areas:-

Conditions that will have to be met for approval as Carers by Kasper

1. A Carer has to be available at any time for the children in their care.
2. No one under 25 years or over 65 years will be considered.
3. A couple to have been in their relationship for at least 2 years.
4. A Foster Child to have his/her own room.
5. Foster Carers must have a telephone.
6. Foster Carers cannot child mind.
7. Foster Carers can only be approved by this agency.

Applicants will not be considered if:

a. Own children have been on the Child Protection Register or compulsorily removed.
b. There are any offences against children or if they have been convicted in the last 10 years of any offence involving harm to another person. (No offence committed is ever spent with regard to our checks); this applies to all the members of the household.
c. They have been convicted for drink driving in the last five years.
d. If they are experiencing serious financial problems.
e. If they are a household with a transient population, i.e. guest home or one that takes students.
Applicants are unlikely to be considered if:
a. There has been a bereavement within the last year.
b. There is a child/children in the house under 5 years of age.
c. There are three or more children in the household.
d. There has been a move of house from another area within the last year.
e. There has been a major health concern within the last year.
f. Own children have been looked after by the Local Authority.
g. There are more than two dogs.

All applicants should have a smoking policy.
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Will I be paid?

For additional information please refer to information under heading “Becoming a Carer Tax and Benefits”.

Foster Carers receive an allowance for each child that is fostered plus a fee that will be taxable.

Foster Carers work in a self-employed capacity and, therefore, only receive payment for the duration the young person is fostered with them.

Foster Carers receive 14 days paid respite a year and there is a holiday allowance in addition to your weekly fee.
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How long will children/Young People stay with me?

There are different types of fostering which we will talk with you in more detail if we get to meet you.

As an overview we have

Respite Foster carers
Carers provide very short term care to young people. Wherever possible this should be planned and with the same regular family.
Often this is for weekends or a week or two when long term carers maybe taking a break.

Short term fostering
This is usually task centred with very clear arrangements having been agreed as to the purpose and to allow for an assessment to place.
Often short term is between 6 to 9 months duration.

Long term
When a decision has been made that a child/young person will not be returning to their parents/family or being adopted a long term permanent family is identified.
At Kasper we have many young people who grow up in our supporting families from young ages.
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