Fostering Eligibility Quiz
Thinking about fostering but not sure if you qualify? You’re not on your own, fostering eligibility is one of the most commonly talked about questions. The good news is that the foster care eligibility criteria in West Sussex means it’s more likely that you can foster than not!
To answer any questions of concern, we’ve put together a list of everything you need to know.
Take our quick quiz to get a personalised indication of whether fostering could be right for you.
What are the Fostering Eligibility requirements in West Sussex?
Our foster carers come from a wide range of backgrounds, with lots of different life experiences and skills to meet the diverse needs of the children we care for. The most common trait that all carers share is making a difference to children’s lives.
It’s important to understand there is no single ‘type‘ of person who fosters. Whether you’re single or in a relationship, working or not, renting or a homeowner; what matters most is your willingness to provide a safe, stable and loving environment for a child who needs it.
What you DO need
To meet the basic fostering eligibility criteria in West Sussex you will need to:
- Be over 21 years old
- Have a spare bedroom
- Have the desire and ability to provide a child with a safe, supportive and loving home to help them through a challenging time in their lives
Everything else is provided by us, including - training, ongoing support and guidance from our experienced team.
What you DON'T need
One of the most important things to understand about foster care eligibility is how few barriers there actually are. You do not need to:
- Be under a certain age - there's no upper age limit to fostering
- Be in a relationship - we have lots of single carers
- Have specific qualifications - we give you all the training you'll need
- Have your own children – we teach you everything you need to know
- Be a certain religion, race, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation – we want more diversity, so Fostering West Sussex encourages people from all walks of life
- Be perfect! Our children don’t need perfect – they just need you to show up when you say you will; be consistent, provide loving boundaries, and to advocate for them
Everything else is provided by us, including - training, ongoing support and guidance from our experienced team.
What about Criminal Records, Health, and Employment?
These are all common concerns for people exploring their fostering eligibility, so we’ve put together some brief guidance below.
- Health - You don't need to be in perfect health to foster. What’s most important is that you have the physical and emotional capacity to care for a child. Our assessment process includes a health review, but many people with long-term conditions foster successfully.
- Employment - You can be employed, self-employed, or not working. There's no requirement to give up your job to foster. You will need to be able to work flexibly enough to care for a school-aged child before and after school, at times when they are poorly and during the school holidays. There are also factors to consider including attendance at meetings, and training. There are some jobs which lend themselves to this more easily. If you work further afield or have less flexibility, you might want to consider offer weekend stayovers, or welcoming a young person aged 16+ as a Supported Lodgings Host. Our team can talk you through how different arrangements work around various lifestyles.
- Criminal Records - Having a criminal record doesn’t automatically prevent you from becoming a Foster Carer, however, certain offences would mean you were ineligible to apply. All criminal convictions will need to be disclosed when you first apply to foster, and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are a standard part of the assessment process. If you're unsure, we encourage you to get in touch and speak to a member of our team.
How is fostering eligibility assessed?
Understanding foster care eligibility isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about finding the right match between your motivations, circumstances, skills and the needs of our children. If you meet the basic criteria above, the next step is to arrange an initial home visit., If all parties are happy, we can then start your assessment. For a full breakdown of the journey from initial enquiry to approval, read our comprehensive guide to becoming a foster carer.
Ready to Check Your Fostering Eligibility? Take Our Quick Quiz
Hopefully you now have a clearer picture of the West Sussex foster care eligibility criteria; are you ready to take the next step? Our short quiz is designed to give you a quick, personalised indication of whether fostering could be right for you. There are no wrong answers, it’s simply a helpful starting point.
