Social care

You can get into this role by applying directly.

College

You do not need any specific qualifications to become a foster carer.

However, it might help to take a college course, such as:

• level 1 award in introduction to health, social care and children's and young people's settings
• level 2 award in safeguarding and protecting children and young people
• level 2 certificate in children and young people's workforce

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

Direct application

You can either foster with your local council or with one of the independent fostering agencies.

Anyone can become a foster carer. Local councils and agencies want to recruit a diverse range of foster carers regardless of sexuality, ethnicity, religion or marital status.

Assessment and training

Once you've applied to become a foster carer, you'll go through an assessment and a training programme. This is to make sure you could meet the needs of the children you'll foster.

Each council and agency will have slightly different assessments and training. You might:

• learn skills at a preparation course
• attend groups to talk to existing foster carers
• spend time with a social worker who will ask about your personal history

If you're a couple, you both have to complete the training and pass the assessment.

Panel

Once you've completed the assessment, your social worker will write a report and present this to a panel who will decide if you can become a foster carer.

The report will outline your skills and any areas where you need more training or support. You can see the report and add your own comments before it's submitted to the panel.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

• You'll also need a spare bedroom and for some agencies, you cannot have another job.
• be over 21 years of age
• pass enhanced background checks

More information

Career tips

It might help your application if you have experience looking after children. This could be from caring for your own children or other children in your family.

Your whole family will be involved in fostering. It's important to tell them you're applying to be a foster carer. You should be clear with them about what is involved and the support you'll need.

Further information

You can find out more about fostering from the Fostering Network and Foster Talk.

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With experience, you could help train new foster carers.