Can I Foster Children

Can I Foster?

We need foster carers from a wide range of backgrounds, races and religion. This is because all children have their own unique and individual background and heritage. You do not need to be married, own a house or have children of your own.

We aim to ensure that each child’s needs are met and matched as closely as possible, we use the following selection criteria:

• Applicants able to accept teenagers.
• Applicants comfortable with parents visiting their home.
• An ability to reflect on life experiences and to mature through them.
• Previous employment or experience in children’s services – paid or unpaid.
• If living with a partner/ spouse, the relationship should be established and secure.
• Applicants who show a willingness to work towards meeting care standards for fostering.
• An ability to see beyond children’s behaviour, and to link it to past trauma, where applicable.
• An empathy for and natural ability to nurture children traumatised by separation from their birth families.
• Applicants with particular skills and experience in specific areas as learning difficulties, medical problems etc.
• Applicants with experience of the previous fostering and/or close involvement with someone who has already fostered.

In addition, Sunbeam will expect the applicants to have:

• A spare bedroom
• Plenty of physical and emotional stamina.
• A commitment to attend training events and support groups.
• A willingness to support a child’s/young person’s attendance for therapy, hospital appointment etc – including the provision of transport where necessary.