Erm.....how do you become a FC?

[Becaroooo]

...OP title says it all really.

Tbh, I am not sure we would be classed as "suitable" but its something I have always wanted to do (Or respite FC)

I am 38, married (for 12 years) with 2 ds's aged 7 and 2. We have a 3 bed extended semi det house in a semi rural area. We have a large extended family locally and good support.

So;
Am I too old?
Will the fact I already have 2 biological dc go against me?
Are my dc ages an issue?
Can the dc be taken from you at short notice (I could see this being a big issue for me )

I have raised the subject with various people over the years - some of whom have been great and supportive and some not so great - my SIL laughed and said I would turn out to be one of those women who went "on the run" with a child because I wouldnt want to give it back!!!! (she may be right there!!)

We have NO baby stuff left and dont really have loads of money to buy new...does it matter? With older dc, do they bring lots of stuff with them???

Sorry to sound so dense, but really have no idea about all this.......any advice/tips gratefully received!

Basically approach your local authority & express an interest. They usually have SWs responsible for recruitment who can advise/provide info.

Usually a FC has to have their own room.

Depends if you want to foster ling term or short term. Long term children ( in my LA anyway) tend to be 7+ and will stay until they are 18. They will have SW input/contact/meetings/funding but otherwise live with you as part of the family with no plans to return to birth family. Short term carers take children who are in need of care short term or while they go through care proceedings/ prior to adoption

Depending on age group you will need a stack of basics in case of emergency placements.

Thanks harriet I knew I would regret getting rid of all that baby stuff!

My LA supply everything you would need for the child coming in and also you will find friends love the idea of passing on things to you.....so don't worry too much about this. Good luck.

Becarroo - none of the things you have mentioned will be a problem for fostering. You do need to contact your LA as they all do things slightly differently. I think you need to think of short term initially. The thing is there needs to be at least a 2yr gap between the FC and your own children. I think it is important that your oldest child doesn't lose his/her place as the oldest child in the family. You could therefore be thinking of a 4 or 5 year old. Sometimes it is best if the FC is the youngest so that they don't have to compete with younger children. I am talking here of ideal situations and LAs are so desparate for foster carers, they will probably be happy to place children from 0 - 5 with you. The thing is though there is not a great need for Fcarers for that age group because most Fcarers like that age group. Yhe real need is for sibling groups, older children and those with disabilities, but again this can differ with LAs

Each situation is different but you need to be aware that any fostered child has in almost all cases been removed from natural parents where the child has been abused/neglected, and this will result in difficult behaviour because these children have learned that adults are not to be trusted, so you have to go into this with you eyes open.

I think the first thing is to contact your LA and express your interest. They will if they think you are suitable after an initial assessment offer you the chance to go on a preparation/training group but there may be a wait as they are run 2 or 3 times per year (again this differs with LAs) If you are still wanting to go ahead after the prep group, you will be assessed very comprehensively by a social worker, medicals will be needed and a CRB check and you will need to provide referees (relatives and non relatives) If it is a positive recommendation from the assessing social worker, then you go to the Fostering Panel for final approval.

I honestly think the issue of clothes etc is the last thing that should be bothering you at the moment. Foster carers often pass clothing between themselves, and there should be an initial clothing allowance provided by the LA. All LAs have different policies and different rates of pay, so I think it best for you to contact your LA. You can also contact nearby LAs but you can only be registered by one LA.

Will do, thanks for the advice all x

I'd also bear in mind that generally any fc placed with you will still be having ongoing contact with bps. One of mine had weekly contact with his bps from placement in fc at 3 months through to placement with us at 12 months. His fc didn't drive and so he was driven to contacts - but you would still have to fit those contacts into your daily/weekly routine - even over holiday periods.

Hi Becarroo,

most of your questions seem to have been answered but just wanted to point out that yes - a child can be removed from you at very short notice. I received a call out of the blue for one placement who had been with me 16 months telling me she would move in 3 weeks. We'd previously been expecting her to stay with me for another few months. I also know foster carers who've had children return to parents The Same Day!!!

On the other hand, you also get children placed with you for a week and they're still there 2 years later!!!