Am I too old/young to foster?
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There is no age limit and all cases are reviewed on an individual basis. We do ask that younger foster carers are emotionally mature and have experience of being around children and that all foster carers are fit, active and healthy to cope with the pressures of becoming a foster carer.
Do I have to be married?
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No, we have foster carers who are single and divorced as well as married and unmarried couples.
Can I foster if I don’t have any children of my own?
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Yes, many carers have young children or fully grown children who have left home. However, it is not a necessity and many people who have not had their own children are successful carers. What we look for are the skills and qualities you can offer.
Can I foster if I’m gay or lesbian?
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Yes, we consider your skills and qualities - not your sexuality
Do I have to be employed?
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No.
Can I foster if I am from an ethnic minority?
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Yes, we are keen to encourage applications from all communities - all we ask is that you can communicate in English.
Do I need to have qualifications?
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No. Life experience, skills and essential qualities are the types of things we consider.
Will I get any training and support?
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Yes you will attend a basic preparation course in addition to ongoing training and support|
Can I foster if I have an illness or disability?
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This will not automatically prevent you from fostering and each case would be considered on an individual basis.
Will a criminal record affect my application?
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Certain minor offences or cautions may not prevent you from becoming a foster carer however you must let us know of any convictions or cautions that you have. When you become a foster carer, you agree to us contacting the Criminal Records Bureau for your complete history of offences and cautions. If you haven’t provided this information at the start we will be unable to proceed with your application. There are certain offences which do prevent someone from fostering, including any offence causing harm to a child and violence or sex offences.
Do I have to live in Gateshead?
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You don’t always have to live in the borough of Gateshead, however, there are some cases when the child needs to be in regular contact with their parents and friends and living in Gateshead would be an advantage.
Will I be paid for being a foster carer?
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All foster carers receive a weekly allowance to cover the expense of an extra child in the home. Springboard carers|, remand carers|, and contract carers| receive additional allowances.
How do I apply?
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The first step is to contact Gateshead Fostering Team who will send you a booklet on the different types of fostering available and offer more detailed information. If you decide fostering is right for you, a member of the team will visit you at home to find out more about you and provide you with an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
What happens next?
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If we both agree that it is right for you to proceed with being a foster carer, we will work together to prepare a report for the fostering panel. The report will describe your interests, skills and abilities and will help the panel decide if you would be suitable to be approved. An assessment process will take place including training, personal and medical references and police and statutory checks.
How long does it take?
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The process takes approximately 6 months from the time you make an application.
How is fostering different from adoption?
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Adoption provides children with a permanent new family. An adoption order transfers the child's legal relationship from their birth family to the new adoptive family.
However, the majority of children in care do not need a new family, but rather to be given temporary care until they can return to their own family or move on elsewhere. This is known as fostering.
What is Private foster care?
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This is a private childcare arrangement made between the parents and a carer of their choice (who is not a close relative) where the child is under 16 years of age and looked after full time by the carer 28 days or more. This is not illegal but you are breaking the law if you don’t tell the council about this private fostering arrangement.