Want to foster in NI

[Anonposter123]

I'm 37, married, 2 kids (15 & 8), 2 dogs, live in Northern Ireland.

I'd like to foster young children, preferably babies as I adore this age.

Does anyone that's already a foster carer in NI have an idea if there's much requirement for foster carers for babies and if it's usually short term or long term arrangements?
I don't mind the length of time, I'm just curious.

@Anonposter123 i am a foster carer in NI and we foster 0-2 years. Since we began fostering three years ago we have not had a single night without a baby in our house. We are approved for up to two and largely have two at all times.

there is a real shortage of foster carers in NI for all ages. They may well encourage you to have a wife age range but i would recommend a large age gap between your youngest and any children that would be placed with you. Probably put yourself forward for 0-4.

You can foster with the trust or one of the agencies (kinder care, barnardo’s, action for children. You do generally get a higher rate of payment from the agencies. They will pay the board and out allowance along with a fosters carers professional fee. Trusts only pay the board and out allowance. However, some of the agencies may be loath to take on carers whose age range is so young. Basically it is the trusts who are placing the children through the agencies. They do this when they can not place a child with suitable carers in their own trust area. This will be a last resort as it will be more expensive. In the past young babies were usually considered easier to place and they rarely had to look to agencies to place them. The agencies were used for older harder to place children. However, I do know that the trusts are now having to place newborns with agency carers due to demand.

Generally both the trust and the agencies will want someone at home full time if you are considering taking on very young babies, especially newborn as they can not be put into childcare. If someone is not at home already full time you will need to factor this into finances.

best thing to do it to make some phone calls. https://adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net/ this link will give you the enquiry line for the trusts. If you Google some of the fostering agencies in Northern Ireland you will get enquiry numbers for them too.

I am happy for you to pm me if you have any other questions. Fostering is such a rewarding journey. Our whole family has got so much out of having these little ones in our home and hearts for the time and season that they have needed us.

@Thepinklady77
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond!

I wfh and my job is very flexible regarding working times so I'm hoping they will be ok with this.

I've had an initial phone call with someone this week and waiting for a follow up call to arrange a home visit.

My preference would be children 0-4 and I wasn't sure there was much requirement for this as I'd been told younger children are put on the route of foster to adopt.

Have you experienced fostering through the trust and agencies? Would you say there's a noticeable difference between the support you receive?

P.S how do I PM you 🙊🙈
I'm not a mumsnet regular 🤣
Do I have to do that through the internet browser instead of the app?