Can I work and Foster?

[TheBodyPiercer]

My partner & myself have always said if we wanted children we would Foster or adopt rather.

However I wondered if I can continue working? We're both self employed and work together so have some degree of flexibility. It's taken me years to where I've got to now and it's not really something you can dip in and out of without a lot of hard work.

Would I be expected to give up work if I wanted to foster?

absolutely not. You would need to show that between you there is availability not just for emergencies but for meetings and commitments that often crop up during the day. You would then take in children that fitted what you could offer. EG you probably wouldnt be suitable for a young baby with serious health issues. Definitely pursue your enquiries.

@f0stercarer

absolutely not. You would need to show that between you there is availability not just for emergencies but for meetings and commitments that often crop up during the day. You would then take in children that fitted what you could offer. EG you probably wouldnt be suitable for a young baby with serious health issues. Definitely pursue your enquiries.

when i say absolutely not I meant no you woudnt have to give up work.

From my own research you might be eligible for respite and emergency weekend fostering so it's worth consulting with your local authority and any private fostering agencies.

I work and foster, I am self employed and I can work from home.

Thank you for the replies everyone. We definitely have enough flexibility should meeting's/emergencies arrive. There's also currently at least 1 of us at home 4 days of the week (we changed our work pattern to accommodate the dog 😂)

What would you do about the other 3 days when neither of you are at home?

I think it depends on whether you go with an agency or the local authority to become foster carers. In my area I’ve known some agency carers have other jobs, but all LA carers are expected to have foster carer as their full time job. Obviously in couples, one of the couple generally has another job, but one is a full time foster carer.

Just be aware that there are lots of meetings, appointments and training courses that you need to attend or take the children to. You may also have a large amount of paperwork.

You need to look into what would happen after school (before you get home from work) and during school holidays.

You can't assume that you can leave foster children with childminders or other carers (as you would for your own children).

Some councils have supported lodgings schemes for 16-21 year olds, mainly care leavers. Mine advertises that you can work and do that at the same time. I don't know if that might appeal?