When it comes to fostering children, previous child care experience isn't necessary.
It's always helpful to have experience with children, but you don't need experience to foster as we provide you with excellent training and preparation through your fostering assessment.
Once approved as a foster parent, your supervising social worker will work with you to identify your training needs and your on-going training will be designed to help you grow in your role as a foster parent.
Your personal qualities and life experience are far more important to us than your experience.
What is seen as experience?
There are many careers which provide transferable skills for fostering. Here are just some examples, but it is by no means an exhaustive list:
If you have worked in any of these fields or similar ones, it means that during your fostering assessment, we’ll be able to evidence your transferable skills more easily.
But don’t worry if you have worked in other roles. It won’t stop you fostering at all. Most people gain transferable skills such as team work, patience and empathy in many other work roles and through the experience of life!
- Teacher
- Teaching Assistant
- Nurse
- Social Worker
- Carer
- Caring Assistant
- Child Minder
- Youth worker
- Police officer
- Prison officer
- Volunteer for children’s groups: Sports Coach, Girl Guide/ Scout Leader.
Do I need any experience to become a foster parent?
It would be helpful, but it’s not essential. Our foster carers come from all backgrounds and not everyone has experience of working in childcare. We’ll work with you to help you identify your transferable skills and offer you the training and support you need to prepare for your fostering journey.
Are there any criteria I have to meet?
Yes, the essential criteria you need to foster are, over 21 years old, have a spare bedroom and have the time to commit to a child. Find out more.
Do I need any special qualifications to foster?
No. We provide ongoing training during and after approval to help you develop your fostering skills.
Take your first step to becoming a foster parent today
If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent and would like to learn more, then we’d love to hear from you.
Simply fill in the form below and one of our friendly team will be in touch.
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Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Call us on 0800 077 8159
Suite D, The Point,
Welbeck Road, West Bridgford,
Nottingham, NG2 7QW