Could I foster?

How do I know if I’m the right person to do it?

You’ve shown an interest and that’s a start! The most important factor is that you must like children and young people. After that you need at least some of the following qualities:

• Stamina
• Resilience
• A good sense of humour
• Warmth
• Patience
• Being able to forgive and move on
• Understanding
• Commitment
• Motivation
• A willingness to learn
• Good communication skills
• An ability to work as part of a team
• A commitment to ongoing regular training

What do I need to be able to offer?

Time! Our children and young people need someone to be there for them. It is a full-time job and you will need to make that commitment.

A spare bedroom. All children and young people living in foster care must have their own bedroom unless they are same-sex siblings who want (and are able to share a bedroom).

Your home must be safe, clean and hygienic.

You need a good support network. Evolve will give you professional and emotional support but you will need friends or family around you who can help out in times of difficulty and perform tasks such as babysitting.