Anyone thinking about becoming a foster carer needs to have time and space for foster children in their lives.
Anyone who is interested in becoming a Shine foster carer should get in touch with us.
Becoming a foster carer usually takes between six to eight months and starts with the application.
Do I have to have a spare room?
Yes. This is to give the child you foster privacy and space.
Can I work and be a foster carer?
It is often possible to work part-time particularly if caring for school-age children. Depending on the needs and age of children it may be possible to work full-time.
However, foster carers do need to be available to care for children, attend meetings, training, support groups, and to promote and support contact between a child and their family, if that is the plan for the child
Are foster carers paid?
Foster carers are paid when they are fostering a child.
The payment has three components – a weekly child fostering allowance, a weekly foster carer fee and a weekly household wear and tear allowance.
The weekly child fostering allowance is intended to cover spending on the child, such as clothing, food and pocket money and is determined by the age of the child.
The foster carer fee is reward for the carer’s skills.
The household wear and tear allowance is for heating, electricity, and general wear and tear costs incurred when fostering a child. Carers must have appropriate insurance cover for risks of damage to or loss of equipment, furnishings or other, more expensive items due to a foster child’s presence in the home.
Are foster carers employees of the fostering agency?
No.
Foster carers are treated as self-employed for tax purposes. Click for HMRC e-learning for foster carers
There is a specific tax scheme foster carers can use called Qualifying Care Relief. Click to find out more about this
What happens about holidays and breaks?
Shine foster carers are entitled to fourteen days of paid holiday when they are fostering a child.
Depending on the child’s needs, respite breaks may be arranged. These breaks are designed to support both the child and the fostering household. When a respite break is arranged, the child is cared for in the home of another Shine carer.
Will a police record stop me from fostering?
Not necessarily. The law states that the only criminal convictions that prevent people from fostering are offences against children or a sexual offence. Minor offences should not count against you in your application to foster.
It is really important, at the very start of making an application, to tell us about cautions, convictions or other, similar matters. This transparency is vital for trust. All applicants will be DBS checked at the enhanced level.
Can smokers be foster carers?
Yes. However, we place restrictions on the approval of carers who smoke – they are not allowed to foster children younger than 5 years old.
All foster carers must provide a smoke-free environment for children. Carers who smoke will be required not to smoke in the presence of foster children and to have designated smoking areas at their home which are away from foster children.
Is it ok to have pets?
Yes.
However, in foster homes, the priority must be caring for children, their safety and well-being.
The process of approval includes a pet questionnaire and risk assessment.
If you can’t find the information you need, please contact us.
An independent fostering agency where carers and foster children are what matter most.
Recruiting and working with foster carers together making a real difference to children's lives.
Find out more about fostering and working with us at Shine, please phone or send us your enquiry.
