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What to do of Children in care
There is no particular type of person who is qualified to become a foster parent. Generally, their common quality is the possession of good parenting skills. They do not have to be wealthy, a homeowner (they can live in rented accommodation), of a certain age, or even have children of their own.
On the other hand, foster carers do have to pass the same type of stringent controls that adoptive parents experience. For example, they need to show that they:
- have enough room in their house,
- possess the skills to cope with children (even difficult ones or those from a different ethnic background),
- are prepared for the upheaval it will causes them and their family,
- are well enough and mobile enough to carry out the necessary care, and
- can provide a stable environment.
Criminal records must be declared although it is only certain types of offence, relating to children or violence for example, or recent offences, that would be a cause for rejecting applications to foster. Sexual orientation, marital status and ethnicity are not barriers to fostering, as long as the other criteria are met. In England and Wales, this means that same sex couples and gay single people are eligible to foster.
The approval process for foster parenting involves checks and visits from social and health services, filling in of forms, and providing references. This is all done to safeguard the child, and although it can seem long-winded and bureaucratic, it also helps the prospective foster carer to make sure they are prepared for the task.
