Your Questions Answered

• Who are foster carers?
• How do I become a foster carer?
• I am a single person without a partner, can I still foster?
• I am gay, will I still be able to become a foster carer?
• I am a smoker, can I still foster?
• Will I be paid for being a foster carer?
• I work full time, will I still be able to foster?
• What support is available for foster carers?
• Why do children need to be placed in foster care?
• How will becoming a foster carer affect my own children?
• How long would a child stay with me?
• Will I have contact with the child’s family?
• I do not own my own house, can I still foster?
• I have a police record, will I still be able to foster?
• How do I complain?
• What if I can't find the answer I am looking for here?

 

Who are foster carers?

Foster carers are ordinary people and, like the children they care for, come from a variety of backgrounds.

They may be young couples, older experienced parents or single people. They may be working or unemployed. They may be living in rented accommodation or own their own homes.

What they have in common is room in their lives and homes for children that need their care.

Foster carers are needed throughout Aberdeenshire. 

Find out more about becoming a foster carer.

 

 

How do I become a foster carer?

If you are interested in becoming a foster carer the first step is to email us to request an information pack.

This will give you all the information you need to decide if you want to become a foster carer.

If you still feel you want to become a foster carer we will arrange an initial home visit which will give you the opportunity to discuss fostering in more detail with a member of our Family Placement team. 

If you are still interested you can then submit an application form and go through the assessment process that all prospective foster carers undertake. This can take up to 6 months to complete.

Find out more about becoming a foster carer.

 

 

I am a single person without a partner, can I still foster?

Yes, we actively encourage applications from single people.

We recognize that single applicants can have the skills and abilities that we need, and we have a number of single people currently fostering for us.

 

 

I am gay, will I still be able to become a foster carer?

We welcome applicants of either gender, regardless of their sexual orientation. We recognize that there are many qualities that can be brought to fostering and we are interested in your ability to provide a loving and stable environment for a child.

However government regulations specify two categories of people with whom a child can be fostered.

These two categories of people are:

• A man and woman living and acting jointly together or
• A man or a woman living and acting alone.

So if you live alone you may apply to be a foster carer regardless of your gender or sexual orientation.

However, if you live in the same household as another adult of the same gender the regulations do not allow us to place a foster child with you (this is regardless of your sexual orientation).

While this is the current legal situation, new regulations are expected to come into force in autumn 2009. These new regulations will abolish the restriction applying to two people of the same gender who live in the same house.

 

 

I am a smoker, can I still foster?

Being a smoker would not stop you from becoming a foster carer.

However there would be restrictions on the children that we could place with you.

You would not be able to foster a child under two years old.

The health needs of any child would be considered so that we would not place a child with respiratory, heart or ear problems in your home. 

We would also ask that you consider how best to manage your smoking to provide children with a smoke free environment.

 

 

Will I be paid for being a foster carer?

As a foster carer you will receive an allowance for the child and a skills payment that reflects the level of knowledge and skill you bring to the task.

 

I work full time, will I still be able to foster?

Yes, although consideration would have to be given to matching you with a child whose needs could be met by a carer who works outside the home.

 

 

 

What support is available for foster carers?

Each foster carer has a family placement worker who can offer you support and advice and will be available to talk to you about any questions or problems you my have. 

We also provide ongoing training, a 24-hour support line, Foster Carer Support Groups and a regular newsletter.

 

 

Why do children need to be placed in foster care?

Children need to be looked after away from home for a variety of reasons.

• There may be problems at home and a breakdown in family relationships.
• There may have been a sudden family illness and there are no other relatives available to help out.
• They may have been neglected or abused in other ways.
• Some children will have behavioural, social and emotional difficulties. 

We need to be able to provide safe, healthy and secure homes for boys and girls of all ages.

 

 

How will becoming a foster carer affect my own children?

It is important to discuss your plans to become a foster family with your own children.

They should have a say in your decision and their views will be included in the assessment process.

Your own children are likely to have their own questions and they can become part of our Sons and Daughters support group.

 

 

How long would a child stay with me?

A child stays with foster carers either until they can return to their own family, or until they move to independent living. 

There are several different types of fostering so we need foster carers to look after children who may only need a break for a few days, and for children who will be with foster carers for much longer.

 

Will I have contact with the child’s family?

We expect that foster carers will have some level of contact with a child’s parents, unless there is good reason for them not to.

It is likely that parents will still be involved in daily decisions that affect their child. 

Your family placement worker will discuss arrangements for contact with a child’s family, and support you with this.

 

 

I do not own my own house, can I still foster?

Yes, as long as you have enough room and the property provides a secure and safe environment for children.

 

 

I have a police record, will I still be able to foster?

Having a police record does not automatically mean that you won’t be able to foster, however it will depend on the nature of the offence and how long ago it was committed. 

If you are concerned about a previous conviction please contact us to discuss this.

 

 

How do I complain?

It is our intention to provide a good service, however, if you have any issues or complaints please refer to the Have Your Say section of our website.

As we are regulated by the Care Commission you may also complain to:
         The Care Commission
         Johnstone House
         Rose Street
         Aberdeen
         AB10 1UD
         Tel: 01224 793870

 

 

What if I can't find the answer I am looking for here?

 

If you do not find the answer you are looking for here please email your fostering question to us at fostering.befriending@aberdeenshire.gov.uk