Could you foster?

There's no such thing as a typical foster carer. Like the children who need them, our carers come from all walks of life. We're seeking people who are patient, flexible, understanding, determined and keen to learn. Your individual qualities and what you can offer to a child or young person are what matter to us. 

You can be:

• married, single, divorced or in a partnership

• heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bi and trans

• a parent already or be childless

• a homeowner or renter

• of any race and culture but you must be able to communicate in English

• religious or non-religious

• resident in Gateshead borough or within a thirty-mile radius of Gateshead Civic Centre

• in work or unemployed

You must be able to meet the needs of the child. This can include school transport, facilitating family time visits and attending relevant meetings.

There is criteria you need to meet before you can be consider becoming a foster carer.

You must:

• be able to meet the needs of the child - this can include school transport, facilitating family time visits and attending relevant meetings.

• be over 21 years of age - there is no upper age limit although you must be fit and active enough to care for a child.

• have a separate bedroom suitable for a child or young person - if you are fostering a baby or child up to two years of age they can sleep in a cot in your bedroom.

• be a full-time UK resident or have indefinite leave to remain.

• have the time and commitment to give to a child or young person.

• have a smoke-free home - if you wish to foster children up to age five you can't smoke or vape at all and if you wish to foster older children your home must remain smoke free.

You should consider:

• are you fit and in good health to foster now and for the foreseeable future?
• illness or disability will not prevent you from fostering if you can meet the needs of the child.
• can you provide a child or young person with a secure financial base?
• is your home suitable and safe for a child or young person?
• do you have friends and family who can support you to foster?
• do you have experience with children and young people through family, work or volunteering for example?

We will complete an assessment to ensure you are able to meet the needs of a child/children. This will include looking at your past, for example, if you lived abroad and have any previous convictions. You must let us know of any convictions or cautions that you have. Certain minor offences or cautions may not prevent you from becoming a foster carer. If you don't provide this information at the start we will be unable to proceed with your application.

Offences causing harm to a child and of violence or sex offences will prevent you from fostering.