Have you recently started thinking about expanding your Glasgow-based family but are looking at fostering as a means to do so? Do you like the idea of being able to provide a safe, stable, positive and caring home environment for a child in need? These are great foundations and they could certainly mean you’re ideal as a foster carer, but of course, there is more to it than just a desire to help a child. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you and your family may be perfect for fostering a child.
You and Your Family Want to Make a Difference for a Child
To be a great foster carer you must start with the basics – the desire to make a positive difference in the life of a child. This is something the whole family needs to be on board with since it will be a whole family effort. Everyone needs to understand what’s involved with having a foster child live with them, and what their role will be. Birth children also have to be willing to accept the foster children as part of the family and welcome them with open arms.
You Have the Space in Your Home
It’s also important that you have a spare room for the foster child, as this is a requirement. A foster child needs to know they will have their own space and not be forced to share a room with other children. This could mean you need to rearrange the current bedroom situation and have two birth children share a room to free up space.
Are You Open to Different Types of Fostering?
Did you know there are different types of fostering? This is something that a fostering agency can speak to you about and educate you on. Generally speaking, you can consider short and long-term fostering, interim fostering, fostering siblings or respite fostering. All have pros and cons so it’s important to discuss as a family unit what makes the most sense for your lifestyle and how you could best help a child.
You Fit the Basic Requirements
Some basic requirements need to be met to apply to be a foster carer. These include such things as being the minimum age (21 years old), having a legal right to work in the UK, the ability to foster full-time (you ideally should not have a separate job), and as mentioned, you have a spare bedroom.
You Live in an Area Where Foster Carers are In Demand
Even with the best intentions to become a foster carer, the fact is that you need to live in an area where there is a current need. Foster agencies such as fcascotland.co.uk cite Glasgow as a city where foster carers are needed, as there is a rising demand for children and young people who need a foster home.
Choosing to foster a child is a personal decision that you and your family need to think through carefully, but at the end of the day, it can be the best decision you all make.