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

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.

You'll need:

• sensitivity and understanding
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• be over 21 years of age
• pass enhanced background checks

You'll also need a spare bedroom and for some agencies, you cannot have another job.

In this role you could:

• welcome a child or young person to be part of your family
• care for and meet the emotional and social needs of a child
• help with school work and promote a positive attitude to education
  
• keep young people safe from harm and abuse
• support the young people in your care and put their views forward
  
• involve birth parents where possible

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.