Who can foster?
Foster carers come from a wide range of backgrounds. You can be single, married or with a long-term partner. You can be heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transsexual. You may or may not have children of your own, and you don't have to be a homeowner.
Pre-school children (under five) need to be 'looked after' full-time, so the main carer cannot be in full-time work although spouses or partners may. Temporary carers for school-age children may work limited flexible hours, long-term carers can work provided the child's particular needs allow it, although we would only expect this to be part-time.
This is a general guide. Your actual suitability to become a foster carer can only be determined during the approval process, when we get to know you better. Not everyone makes it through to the final stage. If you are interested in finding out more you can make an enquiry where we will discuss your circumstances with you and look to take things from there.
Contact Birmingham Adoption and Fostering Service.