...I think they a great company to work for, I hope I can fulfill my working career with them. The staff are friendly, caring, and very supportive. The other Foster Carers are very friendly also… I am very happy with this company and wouldn’t like to be anywhere else!
Take a Look at our Frequently Asked Questions About Fostering Teenagers and Children
If you have any questions regarding fostering or what Fostering Options offer in terms of placements, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Do I need qualifications?
You do not need specific qualifications to become a foster carer, although some experience of caring for children, either personally or professionally, would help. The most important qualities we look for in foster carers are the enthusiasm and commitment to provide a child with a secure family environment.
What kind of children need fostering?
All kinds of children need foster placements. They could be any age or even parents with babies. They need short or long term placements and these could be needed in an emergency or they may be planned. However, all the children and young people we place will have suffered disadvantage and many will have been abused or neglected.
I want to foster but I would not want a placement / fostered young person the same age as my own child. Would this rule me out?
No. All our placements are very carefully matched, and your assessor would discuss with you the age and type of children you would like to offer placements to, and who would fit in with your own children.
Will I be able to continue working?
The agency would wish to discuss with you your individual situation. Many of our foster carers do continue to work. However, you will be expected to be available at times within working hours, perhaps to attend meetings or if a child placed with you is unable to attend school.
What if I am not sure what to do in a situation?
Your social worker will be available to offer you support and advice whenever you feel you need it. If they are not available for any reason, you will be able to speak to another member of the social work team who will also be able to advise you. Should you require support and advice outside office hours, we offer a 24 hour on call service that can be accessed every day of the year.
What is involved in the fostering assessment process?
If you and the agency decide to pursue an assessment, you will be allocated an assessor who will visit you on a number of occasions and will produce a report including your history, your family lifestyle and the kind of placements you are interested in taking. We would also undertake a number of checks on you, including DBS, local authority references and medicals.
Will I be able to get to know other foster carers?
Yes. We offer regular training, support groups and events for our foster carers at which you would have the opportunity to meet and talk to other foster carers.
What if a placement does not work out?
Although you would be supported throughout all your placements, sometimes a placement may not work out. In this instance, your social worker would support you to achieve the best ending for both you and the young person concerned.
Will I have a choice in the placements I am given?
Yes. During the assessment process, your assessor will discuss with you in detail what kind of placements you feel you would be able to offer. The agency matches foster placements with great care and would always give you as much information as possible about any potential referrals. You are not under any obligation to take any placement if you do not feel it is appropriate for you.
What kind of support will be offered to me?
Once you are approved as a foster carer, you will be allocated a qualified social worker who will provide support to you both over the telephone and by visiting on a regular basis. You would also be able to contact them any time you feel you need some advice. In addition, Fostering Options offer an out of hours service, enabling you to access support 24 hours a day every day of the year.
Will I receive training?
Yes. As part of the assessment process, you will complete our preparation training, and after you are approved as a foster carer we will support you to complete the Children’s Workforce Development Council Fostering Standards within your first year. An ongoing comprehensive training programme will be offered together with further E Learning opportunities.
Do I need to own my own home to foster a child or young person?
A big house is not a requirement for fostering, although you would need to be able to provide a foster child with their own bedroom.
Do I need to have my own children before fostering a child / young person?
No, you do not need to have your own children, although previous experience of working with or caring for children and young people, whether in a professional or personal capacity, would be useful.
What kind of placements do Futures for Children offer?
Fostering Options can provide for a wide range of placements. We can place children and young people of all ages and with a variety of needs, and can provide long and short term placements. We can also provide parent and child placements and placements for children with disabilities.
Do I need to be married?
No, you do not need to be married. Some of our foster carers are married, some are single and others are in long term partnerships.
Be Part of Fostering Options' Fostering Family
Fostering Options is an established and progressive organisation committed to delivering a high quality service to children, young people, foster carers and local authorities across the South and West Midlands.
We work in partnership with all local authorities in the region to offer a wide range of fostering placements for children and young people to meet their individual needs.
As an existing foster carer it is important that you work with a company that is able to fully support both the children and foster carers. A lot of carers from Local Authorities and other Agencies come to us and feel that there could be more done for themselves and the looked after children.
Our Support for Foster Parents
Fostering Options are committed to providing our foster carers with a support service that is accessible and effective. Foster Carers within the organisation can expect:
- Named Supervising Social Workers – Once approved you will receive ongoing support from a named qualified and experienced Social Worker.
- Induction Training Programme - Following your approval you will be invited to attend a 'Foundation Course' which will give you further advice and training to prepare you for your placement.
- TSD Standards – Support to achieve a national qualification designed specifically for new foster carers over your first year of fostering.
- Supervision Meetings – Supervision meetings usually take place at your home on a monthly basis, although this can be increased if needed.
- Support Groups – These meetings provide opportunities to meet with other foster carers and share their experiences as well as hearing from Social Workers of any developments in the organisation and the wider world of fostering.
- Education Consultants – Access to consultants who are available to support children and young people’s education.
- Therapeutic Service – Access to our Therapeutic Service providing specific support to foster carers at times of stress.
- Training – Each foster carer has an Individual Development Plan; your Supervising Social Worker will complete this with you and identify your specific training and development needs.
- Support to Foster Carers
- Telephone Support – Access to telephone support is available to all foster carers during working hours. This could be available through the local office or directly through mobile phone access. There is always someone at the end of the phone to offer support.
- Out of Hours Service – A telephone advice line is available outside of working hours 365 days a year.
- Financial Support – Regular payments exceeding the Fostering Network Payment Guidelines are made to each fostering household with a placement.
- Respite – Foster carers will be entitled to respite in line with the child’s Care Plan.
- Individual membership to Fostering Network – This allows foster carers access to the services provided by this recognised body.