FAQs Archive - Flourish Fostering

Q: How do I apply to become a Foster Parent with Flourish?

If you’re ready to get started on your journey with us, or maybe would just like some more information, please contact us with your enquiry and a member of our team will get back you. [fusion_button link="https://flourishfostering.co.uk/contact/" target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" color="default" linear_angle="180" stretch="default" icon_position="left" icon_divider="no" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" ]Get in Touch[/fusion_button]

Q: How long will I have to wait for my first foster child to be placed?

If you’re approved to be a Foster Parent with Flourish, it’s difficult to put an exact time frame on how long you may wait before you welcome a child into your home as this depends on so many different factors, including the number of referrals in your area, your personal matching preferences, the needs of the children being referred and whether you’re able to meet these needs and the local authority decision. We receive lots of referrals across our organisation and our team work tirelessly to find the right match for you, your family and the child in care. Typically a new Flourish family will only wait a matter of weeks, and some have a child placed within days.

Q: Can you foster if you have pets?

Yes, you can absolutely foster if you have pets – in fact, there are some fantastic therapeutic benefits of having pets in the foster home and we often see great companionship between pets and children in care. Of course we do have to make sure that pets are cared for hygienically and have a suitable temperament to be around children and visitors in the home so that we can ensure the safety of the young people we place in your care. Please note, we cannot accept applications from anybody who has a banned breed in the UK, as part of the Dangerous Dog Act .

Q: Do I need to own my own house to foster?

No, you don't need to own your house to foster. If you rent either via a private landlord, housing association or council, we will contact them early in the assessment to ensure they are happy with their property being used for fostering. It is advisable to talk to your landlord about your wishes first.

Q: Is there anything else I need to consider?

When it comes to apply to become a Foster Parent with us, your passion, attitude and commitment to making a difference in a young person’s life is what we care about. Not your race, religion, gender or marital status. However, there are some things that are essential in order to be considered. • You must be aged 25 years or over • You should have a spare bedroom that a child can call their own • You must have the legal right to work in the UK • Full time availability (the main Foster Parent must be available for fostering full time) • You must not have a conviction or caution that bars you from working with children • You must make yourself available to the Social Worker who will complete an assessment of your suitability to foster

Q: I have children, can I still foster?

Yes, you can still apply to foster with us if you have your own children living at home. In fact, it's often quite nice for the children coming into care to have other children in the home and your own children can benefit from the experience too. However, it is vital that your own children are supportive of your decision to foster and will be part of your assessment so we can get to know them. This will help us when matching a looked after child with your family. A foster child should not be thought of as a potential playmate or companion for your own child; just like anyone else, each child will bond differently with different people – some take a long time to form a bond of attachment so it would not be fair to expect a foster child to quickly become a friend to your own children.

Q: What types of children need fostering?

There are many different children and young people who are living in foster care, including babies, toddlers, children and teenagers up to 18 years old (Flourish usually works with children aged 8+ but we also care for much younger children requiring therapeutic foster care too). Children and young people in foster care come from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds, requiring different types of foster care placements. And while every child’s history is unique, the most common reasons that a child will come into foster care are due to neglect and abuse.