This is one of the questions we hear a lot from people who are thinking about becoming a foster carer.
Many parents wonder if having their own children means they cannot foster. They might ask:
"Will my children be okay with another child joining our family?"
"Will I have enough time for everyone?"
"Will fostering affect my own children?"
The answer is: yes, you can foster if you have children of your own.
Lots of foster carers have children
Having your own children can be a real strength when becoming a foster carer.
Being a parent means you may already have experience with things like:
- creating routines
- understanding children’s feelings
- supporting children through challenges
- celebrating achievements
- helping children feel safe and cared for
However, you do not need to be a parent to foster. People from all different backgrounds become foster carers and bring their own skills and experiences to the role.
How will fostering affect my own children?
This is something many parents worry about, and it is completely understandable.
When you become a foster carer, your whole family becomes part of the fostering journey. This means your children’s feelings, thoughts and questions are really important.
During the fostering assessment, we will talk with you and your family about what fostering could look like in your home.
We will help you think about things like:
- how your children feel about fostering
- how you can prepare them for a child joining your family
- how everyone can have their own space and time
- how to support your children through any changes
Your children’s feelings matter
Fostering can be a really positive experience for children already in the family.
Many children of foster carers enjoy welcoming a new child into their home and seeing the difference they can make. They can learn valuable skills such as kindness, patience, understanding and empathy.
However, it is also important that your children feel listened to and supported. Fostering should be a positive experience for everyone in your household.
Supporting your children through the fostering journey
Children and young people who already live in the family may have questions about what fostering will mean for them.
They might wonder:
- what will change at home?
- will they still get time with their parents?
- how can they help?
- what will it be like having another child living with them?
These feelings are completely normal.
With your local council, we understand that children of foster carers have an important role to play in the fostering journey. That is why we provide support and training to help them understand fostering, ask questions, and feel prepared for welcoming a child into their home.
You can find out more about training we offer for children of foster carers in the article here.
Will I have enough time for my own children?
A common worry is whether fostering will mean less time for your own children.
A big part of the assessment process is looking at your family life and making sure fostering is the right decision for everyone.
We will talk about your routines, your support network and how you can make sure every child in your home feels valued and cared for.
If you have children of your own and have been thinking about fostering, do not rule yourself out.
Have a chat with one of our friendly advisors and ask any questions you have. We can help you understand what fostering could look like for your family.
Call 0300 019 0200 or contact us via our enquiry form.
