Foster Care Bedroom Requirements – What you Need to Know

If you’ve been thinking about becoming a foster carer, there may be some questions you have about your eligibility. There are only a few simple requirements that you must fulfil to be considered as a foster carer. You must be aged 21 years or above, you must be a full-time resident living in the UK and you must have a spare bedroom for the foster child.

At Fusion Fostering, we are often asked questions about the spare bedroom requirement. There are a few very important reasons that children who come under your care must have their own bedroom:

1.  Children need their own space to grow, learn, play and be creative!
2. Children deserve privacy, no matter how young or old.
3. Children deserve security and a safe place to call their own.
4. Children need a place to relax and reflect, away from others in the household.

Many young people who come under our supervision may have experienced ‘chaotic’ home lives. Some have even suffered abuse, mistreatment and neglect. Having a secure place to call their own is extremely important as they come to terms with the emotional distress that moving homes and areas may cause! As they settle into their new home, we would want them to see their bedroom as a safe haven for them. It is somewhere where they can go to be alone, to play and to relax. This physical boundary can give a child a sense of autonomy; plus, having a place to feel safe will greatly help the child’s transition process and hopefully they will settle in much quicker!

In some unique circumstances, such as when you foster siblings, they may be allowed to share a room as long as they have their own bed and space within the room for belongings, clothes and toys. Before any sort of decision is made about room sharing, a discussion will need to take place with your Supervising Social Worker and the placing Local Authority to agree that this is the best option for the children, and that it is safe. At Fusion Fostering, we always put the needs of the child first; safeguarding children is our number one priority.

If you’re interested in foster care, please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you. Give us a call on 03301 239 355, send an email to info@fusionfostering.com, or, if you want to speak to someone straight away, our live chat tool will let you speak to a friendly advisor!