Your Questions

It depends on how much space you have in your home. Foster children need their own bedroom, although same-sex siblings can sometimes share. We will discuss this with you on an individual basis during an information session.

No, you don’t need any special qualifications to foster. We will provide you with training to help get you ready for the role. We do ask that you have some childcare experience, whether this is through work or with your own children.

Most of your assessment costs are covered by Bradford Fostering, If you have two or more dogs, a dog on the "dog of caution" list or a pet we are worried about, you will have to pay for their assessment. Also, if your home needs any improvements making to make it safe for our young people (such as installing a new fuse box or fixing fencing), you will have to pay for these works yourself. You will have to attend training to be a foster carer, which you may need to take time off work to attend.

This depends on the age of your children; the size of the shared bedroom and if your children are happy to continue to share a room as they grow older. We will discuss this further with you during an information session.

Foster carers should be fluent in English (speaking, reading and writing), while partners ideally should be able to communicate to the Level 3 English as a Second Language standard.

Your youngest child should be two years old before beginning your fostering journey.

This will depend will depend on a number of factors, including: Who owns your home. Who lives with you. The space in your home (you need a spare bedroom to foster). Whether the other people in your home are happy to foster and be included in your fostering assessment. Please contact us so we can discuss your individual circumstances.

Not having family support will not necessarily stop you from becoming a foster carer. As fostering can be a challenging and demanding role, we ask you to consider your wider support network and who you could rely on during a stressful time. We will ask you about your support network during the application process. Support doesn't have to just come from family - your support network can include friends, work colleagues and other foster carers. You will also receive support and advice from Bradford Fostering.

Being overweight does not exclude you from fostering. As part of the fostering application process, all potential carers complete a medical assessment, which is sent to our medical advisor for their views. All foster carers need to be healthy and active to look after our children and young people.

Though you don't need to drive to become a foster carer, it is preferred. Having access to a car can make the school run and food shopping easier. As a foster carer, it is your responsibility to transport your foster children to school, activities and appointments. We will not pay for taxis if you don't drive.

As part of the assessment process, all applicants undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, where all previous criminal convictions will need to be recorded and discussed. Many factors determine whether someone with a criminal record is eligible to foster a child, including the type of crime and when it was committed. If you wish to foster and have a criminal record, please get in touch with our team who can advise you on your eligibility.

You would not have to bring pork into your home. If your foster child wanted to eat pork, we ask that you take them out for a meal.

As the foster carer, you will be responsible for taking the child to and from school. If you have your own children, you should consider how you would manage different school pick up and drop off times.

In May 2020, we changed our guidance to reflect advice from The Fostering Network. To foster as a couple with Bradford Fostering, one of you needs to have lived in the UK for at least 5 years and have indefinite leave to remain or be a UK citizen. Both of you must be committed to living in the UK for the foreseeable future. If you are applying as a single person, you must have lived in the UK for a minimum of 5 years, have indefinite leave to remain or be a UK citizen.