References & few other questions

[Jay77777uuu]

Sorry super long post. Me & my husband are thinking of becoming foster cares, but alot of the things I've read say you have to have references off people who have known you for at least 5 years but not related to you. The problem is I don't have any close friends as my life has always revolved around my kids plus I've never been a particularly social person, will this be a major issue if I want to foster? I have plenty of relatives that would give references.Also my husbands parents & extended family are toxic, & we no longer have any contact with them, will this be an issue? Also my husband & his ex wife didn't have a good divorce will they want to speak to her,? she doesn't live anywhere near us and don't even no where she lives now. Sorry for all the questions but I can't find the answers anywhere & don't want to start the Process if theres going to be major issues along the way. I appreciate any advice you can all give.

in our experience they wanted to speak to both of our ex partners.
I hadn’t seen mine for over 7 years, I gave them his last address and they found him.
I think they like to get references from friends as they like to know you have a good, strong support team around you.
if you have a large family and use them for support with your children and they live close by this may be good enough.

Thank you, om from a very large family most who live fairly close, so hopefully that would do. Don't know what his ex would say though, although I'm guessing they take into account that not all break ups are good one, thankyou for your reply, that's given me a bit more insight.