Advice with fostering

[forgivemeimnew]

Hi, my husband and I are thinking of looking into fostering. Maybe respite first leading to full time fostering.
We have 2 children who are 15 and 8, we are 37 and 40.
We live in a 4 bed house so have 1 spare bedroom.
We both work, I am only part time, husband is full time.
I do have a long term chronic illness but am medicated and know my limitations, would this be a deciding factor for us? My husband is in good health.
Any advice would be gratefully received. I have had a look online and know where to start with the local authority, is this the best way to go about it?
Thank you for any replies.

I know people with chronic conditions who foster. So no it shouldn't automatically discount you. You will need to discuss in depth with assessing social worker. It may for example affect the ages you feel able to foster. Also are there likely to be sudden periods in hospital for example? which a child who has already been uprooted could find very unsettling.

I think starting with respite will quickly confirm for you what you are able to offer.
Good luck.

Thank you for your reply. I have RA and luckily have never been hospitalised to date.
Hopefully this won’t be a barrier.
Thanks again, it is much appreciated.

My advice is to REALLY do your research on who you foster with. I don't know where you live, but don't assume that it's a good idea to start with the local authority. More and more are being judged inadequate whilst the quality and standards of independent agencies is improving. Because there is a shortage of carers, local authorities no longer look internally first, so ignore any claims that you'll get first choice by going with the local authority. Go visit both the LA and some independent providers. You will realise how important culture is and will get a feel of what's right for you.

Oh thank you for this, we were going to go straight to the local authority. We are in Lancashire. I will look into independent providers too.

You're welcome. Here is a link to all the approved agencies that Lancashire use. Good luck! bidstats.uk/tenders/2018/W22/679936164 Also fostering network can provide links to agencies www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/providers?name=&type=All&region=126

Thank you so much