Fostering as a Single Parent

Families come in all different shapes and sizes and no two families are alike! Whilst some may worry that they are not right for fostering because they don’t conform to the “traditional” family unit trope, single foster parents are, in fact, valued, respected, and highly sought after within the fostering community! 

Can you be a foster parent if you are single? 

It is a complete myth that you need to be married or committed to a long-term relationship to foster. No longer are ‘families’ defined by one mother and one father. Modern families are made up of single mums, single dads, same-sex couples, and alternate combinations. In fact, we think that diversity amongst foster families is an amazing thing and we actively encourage those who are from diverse backgrounds and from all walks of life to take the time to consider foster care. 

If you already have your own children, that’s great and means you will already know a lot about childcare and raising a family! However, if you don’t have your own children, this is also great, as you are unlikely to have preconceived ideas about being a parent. Being a single foster parent does not require you to have any previous experience of looking after young people and you also do not need any specific qualifications. You just need to have patience and be willing to be flexible and creative in the support you provide to help a child reach their full potential. Being confident in your ability, having a genuine interest and desire to support, and understanding and listening to each child’s voice are the most important things!

How to be a single foster parent? 

If you’ve decided this is something you’d like to do. First, please ensure that you meet all the essential criteria that are required to be eligible. This includes:

• Being aged 21 years or over (there is no upper age limit)
• Having a spare bedroom
• Being a British citizen or having leave to remain (if you are not a British citizen your individual circumstances will need to be considered)

If you meet these requirements and have enough time in your life to commit to caring for a child full-time, then we would love to hear from you! To become a foster carer you will first need to contact us and express interest. This is the hard part and the part only you can do. Once you have established your interest with us, we will be able to guide you through the entire process with personal support from our team of professional and friendly social workers. 

You will be taken through the assessment and application process and you will receive full training and support, equipping you with all the information and tools you need to be a great parent! 

Why opt to be a single foster parent?

Fostering is a life-changing, yet extraordinary thing to do. It allows you to make a huge difference to a child or young person’s life, positively shaping their future and giving them a fresh opportunity in life. However, fostering is also a new opportunity for you to build a career in something that really matters. Our single-parent families at Fusion love their role and report extremely high levels of job satisfaction. There is simply no greater feeling than knowing you are giving a child a second chance to feel loved, nurtured, and supported!

Single parenting, however, does come with its own set of challenges. After all, parenting is time-consuming and there is an expectation that you will be available full-time for meetings with the agency’s social worker, teachers, and other professionals who are helping to support foster children. This can put a lot of pressure on a single person, so it is important that you have a strong support system in place of people who will be there to help you, when you need it. Of course, Fusion provides access to a senior member of the team 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help you with any issues, worries, or concerns you may have! With Fusion, you are never alone. 

Take the first step to becoming a foster carer today by contacting us. There are many different types of foster care and we are sure to be able to find a flexible option that works for you! Contact us by calling 03301 239355 or clicking here to fill out our contact form and a friendly member of the team will get back to you.