You could become a foster carer by contacting your local council fostering service. You can also foster through independent agencies.
You would go through a preparation and assessment programme to make sure you could meet the needs of each child or young person placed with you.
A preparation programme would include:
- pre-approval training – learning skills and getting ready for fostering
- attending groups to learn about the needs of children coming into foster care
- visits from a social worker
Fostering service providers will usually organise training to fit in with people who are working during the week, so this may take place in the evening or at weekends.
Becoming a foster carer is open to you, whatever your marital status, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.