FAQs

Frequently asked questions

1. Do I need to be a home owner?
2. Am I too old?
3. I am a single parent. Does this mean I can't foster?
4. Can men foster?
5. Do I have to be married or have had children of my own to foster?
6. Can I be a foster carer if I have been in care myself?
7. Does it matter that the Together Trust is a charity?
8. What is special about the Together Trust?
9. Why do local authorities use you?
10. What if I decide fostering is not for me?
11. My partner has set holidays and so cannot attend training
12. Do I need a car?
13. What about allegations?
14. Can you promise to find me a child to foster?

Do I need to be a home owner?

No, as long as your home is warm, safe and comfortable, with enough space to bring a child up.

Am I too old?

There is no upper age limit. The key question we ask is; "Can you provide a stable home for a child, and that you are fit and robust enough to meet the demands of looking after other peoples children?"

I am a single parent. Does this mean I can't foster?

Many approved foster carers have children. We would want to involve your children in the assessment process, as looking after someone elses child and sharing parents with others can be difficult. Fostering involves the whole family and their views are important.

Can men foster?

We welcome applications from men of all cultures and status: single, same sex couples, married, cohabiting.

Do I have to have a religion?

No, it is your parenting abilities we are interested in. However, we would ask you to respect a young person's religion if they are practicing.

Do I have to be married or have had children of my own to foster?

Many of our foster carers have no children of their own, but have related experience, possibly through their employment or through their friends and family. Some learn about fostering by spending time in one of our residential units, we call this transferable skills, which we then discuss further in the assessment.

Can I be a foster carer if I have been in care myself?

Yes, we would welcome enquiries from you.

Does it matter that the Together Trust is a charity?

We think so! The Together Trust charges local authorities a fee for a foster home placement. Every penny is then ploughed back into the fostering service. We are proud of the fact that we are non-profit making.

What is special about the Together Trust?

We have a long history and tradition of working with children. We operate a wide range of social care and special education services for children, young people and adults. We exist to complement and support statutory services, not to replace them. We work in partnership with local authorities to broaden placement choice.

Why do local authorities use you?

We have the capacity to offer a tailor-made package, which best meets the needs of a child. Children tell the local authority they like living with our foster carers.

What if I decide fostering is not for me?

Then we will support and help you to leave the service.

My partner has set holidays and so cannot attend training

We would ask you to attend training and we would arrange some ‘distance learning’ so your partner does not miss out.

Do I need a car?

Yes. You will be asked to take a child to school or to contact with a family member.

What about allegations?

Children may make allegations and we have a duty to cooperate with any investigation. You would be offered independent support through The Fostering Network.

Can you promise to find me a child to foster?

It costs the Together Trust over £11,000 to recruit, train and assess a foster carer, so we will do our best to place a child with you, but there is no guarantee. We try to wait for the right child – where you can meet their needs and they can fit comfortably into your family. We do pay retainers to foster carers after they have had the first child in placement.