Lone parent & currently working FT - can I foster?

[WantToFoster]

My LA says it isn't a problem but I wondered what a foster parent would say about the practicalities.

I have a 5 yr old and currently work full time (but term time only) although I am hoping to decrease my hours. I am not sure what age group(s) would fit with us best and wondered what other's experiences were.

What would DS get out of me fostering? I am very concious of the fact that he might feel pushed out? Although I think he would love to have other children/ young people around the house.

[walesblackbird]

I'm not a fc but have adopted three children. One fc was a single mum of three whose only income - other than benefits - was fostering.

The other two worked part time but they were part of a couple and when they were working their husbands were the carers.

I can foresee that it could be difficult. For starters you'd have to manage contact with bps, if the plan for the child was adoption then you'd have to fit in intros. And tbh with a 5 year old I'm not sure that fostering an older, traumatised, child would be in the best interests of your child.

Older children come with a range of difficulties. Babies equally so ... but if you fostered babes then you'd have to be at home to care for them.

[WantToFoster]

Perhaps I should have said that I work with children with special needs and many are LAC. I have also worked with children with severe behavioural problems so I have some idea of the issues & needs they may have.

But yes, I was thinking little ones (under 8s or so) may be the best fit. If I decided to apply to be a FC, I would make sure my hours were better first.

Thank you for your help.

[maypole1]

were would they go while your at work the children often Audre so many different carers i don't think any la would go for a childminder most la recommend at least one carer at home for children under 5.


but most of the carers who foster school aged children or teenagers work pt time but what you need to think of is how will you manage meetings for example which will be held during the week often 10- 11 o clock.

how will you manage the school run with a school age child

or if a child has a school nursery place


also often the children have LACK appointments how will you manage that


next week alone i have a pep, a meeting with the lack nurse and a meeting with my link worker.

also these children especially the little one 5,6 or 7 aren't even enrolled in any school when they come.

we once had a child who had never been to school was 7 and it took 5 weeks to sort it all out.

just things to think about have you thought about respite which usually only happens at weekends after school and holidays i was a family link carer for 6 years before i became a foster carer you are approved in the same way as foster carer and with your sen experience i sure it would suite you down to the ground.

i believe family link care is just as important as a foster carer as they enter just before a family is about to break down and helps support the parents so the child is not put into care

if your working pt term time only then you proably be able to pull it off but i am not sure how it would work workig full time

[Grockle]

Yep, I could do respite and that might be the best way to start. Chances are, the children would be ones I work with all week!

[maypole1]

that way if you do it say for a couple of years your son will be older so you be able to expand on your age rage and he will by then be used to difrrent children sharing the house


their is a real need in this area my la only had 3 respite carers and i was one and and now a foster carer so they only have 2 and i i know a always had work as the waiting list is very very long.

[maypole1]

that way if you do it say for a couple of years your son will be older so you be able to expand on your age rage and he will by then be used to difrrent children sharing the house


their is a real need in this area my la only had 3 respite carers and i was one and and now a foster carer so they only have 2 and i i know a always had work as the waiting list is very very long.

[maypole1]

that way if you do it say for a couple of years your son will be older so you be able to expand on your age rage and he will by then be used to difrrent children sharing the house


their is a real need in this area my la only had 3 respite carers and i was one and and now a foster carer so they only have 2 and i i know a always had work as the waiting list is very very long.

[Machakos]

WantToFoster - like you I work full time in a school, and I've been fostering for 5 1/2 years now. All meetings re fc are arranged for after school to fit in with my work. LA arranges transport to get fc children to and from school. Because I foster through the LA I can say 'no' to any child who is not in school.

[WantToFoster]

Thats good to hear Machakos. I will get more info from the LA. If they think it is possible then that is a good start. Thanks all