When is the Right Time to Start the Fostering Process?

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Can you work and be a foster parent?

Something we hear a lot from prospective carers is can you be a foster carer and work?

Like a lot of things, there really isn’t a simple answer for this, as it depends on a lot of different aspects. Fostering itself can be a 24/7 career, one that pays well and takes up your time. When you’re a foster carer, you are responsible for your child’s safety and wellbeing. And that isn’t a part-time role.

If your child in care is poorly, you’ll need to look after them, if they’re in school and have a parent’s evening, you’ll need to attend. When it’s the school holidays, they’ll need to be at home. You will also need to be available for meetings and training regarding your fostering career.

As fostering is considered a career, it’s likely that working outside the home might not be necessary.

Some foster carers find it’s easier to reduce their hours to part-time, or even give up work completely. But there are occasions where it is possible to continue working, for example, if you’re fostering older children or teenagers who go to school and are settled in your home.

If you do currently work, you might want to take into consideration things like:

• How flexible your employer is.
• How many hours you currently work.
• Whether you foster as a single carer or with a partner, and if you can come up with a plan that suits everyone.
• If you have friends and family who can help you if you need childcare in a pinch.
• The ages of the children you want to foster. Younger children will need more time and attention whereas teenagers and older children can be more independent.
• If you are willing to foster a child with special needs who might require more care and attention.
• What type of fostering you are interested in, whether it’s short or long-term, respite fostering, emergency fostering, sibling fostering, etc.

The bottom line is there are times fostering and working can be achieved, but only if the child’s wellbeing and safety aren’t compromised. Having another job shouldn’t detract you from your ability to carry out your fostering role; your foster child’s needs must always come first.

Fostering as a couple allows for more flexibility than fostering as a single carer. One parent may be able to work outside the home while the other is on hand full-time to care for your foster child.

Our generous fostering allowance for each child in your care is designed to financially support you through your career as a foster carer. This allowance, along with other benefits and rewards you’ll receive will allow you to stay at home and focus on the needs of the child in your care.

Because we understand that everyone is different, we’ll always take the time to speak to you about working and fostering, so we can help you come to a decision that best suits your needs.

Are foster carers entitled to time off work?

So, what about time off?

Unfortunately, Parental leave does not cover leave for foster parents, however, flexible working is an appropriate way to manage time off for foster carers. Employees with at least 26 weeks of continuous service have the right to request flexible working, and under the Employment Rights Act 1996, all employees (regardless of the length of service) can take a ‘reasonable’ amount of unpaid time off work without notice to deal with unexpected emergencies affecting their dependents. This includes children in care.

If you decide that now is the right time to foster, and you’re currently employed, then we can help support you in speaking with your employer about time off.