Fostering Prospects For Single Male

[PHILOSOPHER123]

I am a single male, 64 years, considering wishing to foster from fourteen to eighteen years, I have no experience living with children but have housed eighteen thirties as a live-in landlord. I am self employed so have no employer reference availability. I have never been married so do nt have those references either, my last relationship is about thirty years ago. I much prefer friendships. I do have a stand in foster mother, and I do have references from my community. I can likely service references from young people themselves, at least should it happen that I am afforded this opportunity by a chance encounter. No matter ones potential this process is likely impossible for a very considerable number. I own a huge country house with four bedrooms, and in woodland greenbelt. Despite all the above it might well be that I would be among the best of the best.

I think the only way to find out will be to go to your local council and formally apply.

Good luck.

The only thing you can do is apply and see what happens! Failing that I would like to be fostered into a 4 bed house in the countryside I'm a little out of the age group though...
Good luck!

Agree with the others, apply and see what happens. The approval process is extremely thorough, they will check everything about you and you’ll be visited by the recruiting social worker several times for many hours!

Just be aware, the young people coming into care may be traumatised, have special needs, severe attachment disorder - it will be HARD WORK.

But go and ask the questions!

Good luck!

my cousin was a single male in late 40s no relationship history no employment history and he fostered successfully. Put yourself forward and see what happens. Consider agencies as well as local authority.

You can foster regardless of whether you are single or in a relationship. What's most important is what you can offer a young person. However, if you have never parented before and have no experience of caring for children, you will have to evidence a capacity to do so in other ways.

As others have mentioned, the application and assessment process is very thorough. Foster carers are supporting some of the most vulnerable children in the country, and you will be asked how you would manage challenging behaviours - particularly in the absence of direct parenting experience.

It sounds like you have a lot to offer though, and that age-group is the biggest need when it comes to new foster carers. Your friendship references will be important and your tenants would be good references too.

Get in touch with some providers and see what they say. Best of luck : )