Requirement Criteria

• Applicants must be over the age of 21. There is no upper age limit and as long as you’re fit and healthy you may apply.

• We do require that all applicants have a spare bedroom at time of application. If you are having an extension or plan to convert the attic, this work must be done before you apply.

• Applicant’s birth children must be over the age of 6 months at the time of application.

• All applicants require a good level of spoken and written English

• We don’t ask for qualifications to become a foster carer- your life experiences, parenting skills and the qualities you have developed as a result are much more important.

• In Scotland, a couple of the same sex living together, whether in a relationship or not, cannot be approved as foster carers. Please refer to The Fostering of Children (Scotland) Regulations 1996.

• If you have lived overseas, it will be necessary to undertake statutory checks in the country where you resided.

• If you have been convicted of certain offences including violence or crimes against children you will not be able to foster. However other minor offences committed a long time ago may not affect your application. You will need to record any convictions on the application form. If you do not disclose something which subsequently comes to light you will be automatically barred from fostering.

• In order to assess your skills to become a foster carer it is vital that you are honest and open. The assessment process is very thorough and you’ll be asked about all different aspects of your life.