Question 1

Can I foster if I already have children? Or if I don't have children?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely - we have worked with lots of foster carers who already have children. Some of those children are still living at home, whilst others decide to take on fostering once their own children have grown up. You can also foster if you have no children of your own.

Question 2

Does it matter if I'm single, married or in a relationship?

Accepted Answer

No relationship status disqualifies you from being a foster carer. No matter your relationship status, the impact on your friends and family will be part of the Form F assessment process to see the impact on your support network.

Question 3

What is a support foster carer?

Accepted Answer

Support foster carers play a key part in Break’s fostering family. You’ll be matched with a foster family and will provide short breaks for the child in their care. This might mean that for one weekend a month, the young person will come and stay with you and your family.

Visit the support foster c

Question 4

How old do I need to be to foster?

Accepted Answer

Foster carers need to be 21 or older. There is no upper age limit - you just need to enough energy and enthusiasm to keep up with the young people in your care.

Question 5

Can I carry on working?

Accepted Answer

Foster caring is a full-time job, and in our experience we find that continuing to work alongside your role as a foster carer is difficult. Your role will involve being available for meetings and appointments during the day as well as attending review meetings, medical appointments and training for

Question 6

Do I get paid for fostering?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you will be remunerated for your fostering role. On average when you have a child in your care you will earn in the region of £600 per week plus some travelling expenses. If you need more information about how much you will be paid, please ask a member of the team who will be very happy to help

Question 7

Do I need a spare room?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the child in your care will need their own room.

Question 8

Can I have pets and foster?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Any pets in the home will be looked at as part of your Form F assessment. You will need to consider how your pet responds to children.

Question 9

What happens about holidays?

Accepted Answer

Normally, we would expect foster carers to take the child they are caring for with them on holiday.

All foster carers will have a support care plan which is led by the child they are caring for. This care plan could include overnight stays where the child would stay away from your home but it would

Question 10

What happens once a child turns 18?

Accepted Answer

We always work with you and your child's Local Authority social worker to plan for your child post 18. If you would like your child to remain living with you post 18 then they can do so under a Staying Put arrangement. You will no longer be in a foster care role for this child but the LA will contin

Question 11

What support do Break offer foster parents?

Accepted Answer

When you join Break as a foster carer you become part of the extended fostering team. You'll work with Break staff and other foster carers with similar experiences to increase your understanding of therapeutic parenting in order to create a safe environment in which the young person in your care can

Fostering Information Session - Foster with Break

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Fostering information session with a foster carer