Muslim Fostering – Most Common Questions Answered

If you’ve ever wondered whether fostering as a Muslim is possible or how Islamic principles work alongside the fostering system, you’re not alone. Many people in the Muslim community want to open their homes to vulnerable children but aren’t sure exactly how it fits with their faith.

In this blog, we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions about Muslim fostering – covering everything from halal food and hijab to faith, culture, and family life. Whether you’re thinking about becoming a Muslim Foster Carer or just exploring your options, this guide will help you understand what’s involved.

Commonly Asked Questions About Muslim Fostering

Is fostering allowed in Islam?

Yes. However, scholars emphasise that certain rules still apply – such as preserving the child’s family name and observing mahram boundaries once the child reaches puberty – but within those guidelines, caring for an orphan or vulnerable child in your home as a Foster Carer is encouraged as a good deed.

Can I still practise my religion properly if I foster?

Yes. You keep your usual worship and lifestyle; we support your need for prayer time, mosque attendance, and Islamic routines at home. Please let your Assessing Social Worker or Supervising Social Worker know what your support needs are and we will explore this with you. 

If the foster child follows a different faith or has no religion, how do I handle that in line with Islamic principles?

 Islam teaches you to respect the child’s own beliefs without forcing yours on them, while keeping up your own religious practices at home in a considerate way – scholars say this upholds justice and kindness toward the vulnerable. You provide a loving, stable environment, support their cultural or spiritual needs as outlined in their care plan (by taking them to church, and meeting any dietary preferences). 

Can the child celebrate Eid with us?

Usually yes, as long as it is in the child’s best interests and does not conflict with any specific guidance from their birth family or Social Worker.

Do I need to give non-halal food to a non-Muslim child I’m fostering, or can I offer something else instead?

No, you don’t have to provide non-halal food. You can offer suitable alternatives like vegetarian or halal sausages, turkey bacon, burgers, etc. You are responsible for ensuring that the child’s nutritional needs are met and you follow their care plan. Obviously, children could eat non-halal food when dining out with you as a family, or for school dinners, etc. 

What should I do if I foster a teenager who’s hit puberty and I wear hijab in front of non-mahram?

When fostering a young male, you would have to wear a hijab or extra modest clothing at home. Just ensure shared spaces stay respectful (like knocking before entering rooms). This fits well with Islamic guidelines and fostering rules – no big changes are needed. If you choose to foster younger children, please bear in mind that even short-term fostering could mean a child is with you for up to two years. Care plans may also change over time and if a child has become settled in your family, they may stay with you for several years or remain with you until they reach 18 (and beyond).

Will I be matched with Muslim children only?

We will try to match Muslim children with Muslim carers, but this is not always possible and depends on which children need families at the time. Please bear in mind that 85% of our Muslim children are unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, who are aged 16+. It’s worth considering your preference for which age group you would like to care for, and the team can discuss this with you as part of your assessment.  

Even if you are not fostering a Muslim child, we highly value the richness your faith and experiences will bring to our wider fostering community. By building relationships and sharing your insights with non-Muslim carers caring for Muslim children would provide a different way of supporting our Muslin children. For example, perhaps you could invite them and their children to celebrate Eid with you. 

What if the children I foster come from different cultures, don’t speak the same language, but share the Muslim faith?

Shared faith gives you a strong common ground – like prayer times, halal food, and Islamic values – to build trust and connection from day one. Use simple English or translation apps to chat, learn key words from their language together, and involve community mosques for support. Over time, your home’s warmth and consistency will bridge any gaps. The child or young person you’re caring for should be provided a translator for key meetings. We have lots of supportive Foster Carers and Supported Lodgings Hosts who can share their ideas for navigating language differences, such as using Google Translate, and putting dual-language sticky notes around the house for key things like the fridge and spare loo rolls! 

Can my own children share a room with a foster child if they’re the same gender and similar age, or do I absolutely need a spare room? 

The child you foster will need their own dedicated bedroom. If fostering siblings from the same family, they may be able to share a room, if that’s part of their care plan, but they would need separate beds. Children you foster would never be able to share a room with other unrelated children in the fostering home. The room you are planning to use for fostering will be checked during your home assessment. Your Assessing Social Worker will be able to explain why it’s so important for children who have experienced trauma to have their own room.

Will my immigration status matter?

You will need the legal right to live and work long-term in the UK. Within your assessment, we will explain exactly what supporting documentation we would need. 

Please note that the rules around immigration status are changing – for further guidance, visit the Government website.

What if a young person in my care is LGBTQ+?

Foster Carers are expected to provide a safe, respectful and supportive environment for every young person, even if this differs from your personal beliefs. We will explore how you would respond to such situations during your assessment. We do offer specific training to help you provide the best possible support to LGBTQ+ young people.

Can I express a preference for the age and gender of the children I foster?

Yes. As part of your assessment, you can discuss the age range, gender and types of needs you feel able to care for, and this will be considered when children are matched with you. We will also consider the most appropriate match for other children in your home. We appreciate that for Muslim Foster Carers, the age and gender of the child or children you are caring for matters because they affect what feels modest, safe and comfortable for you within your home. Once a child reaches puberty, sharing spaces, bathrooms and everyday routines with an opposite‑sex carer can feel awkward or religiously uncomfortable.

Are you Muslim and thinking about fostering?

Across West Sussex, there are currently more Muslim children in our care than we have Muslim Foster Carers to support them. Many of these children would benefit from a home where their culture and religion are nurtured – a place where they can pray, celebrate, and feel proud of who they are. Read more about Muslim Fostering with us at West Sussex County Council.