Common myths about fostering

You don’t need to have any formal qualifications to foster for Hounslow. You don't need any previous experience of working with children or have children of your own. We provide all necessary training to support you to succeed as a foster carer.

You just need to enjoy being around children and maintain a kind, loving attitude towards them. You need to be flexible, open-minded, patient, tolerant and understanding.

Your relationship status does not matter in terms of becoming a successful foster carer. If you meet the requirements we talk about on this page, we would love to hear from you.

Your sexuality does not matter. Nor does it matter if you're in a same sex relationship. If you can support, love and care for a foster child while displaying some of the qualities discussed on this page, we would love to hear from you.

Being disabled is absolutely not a barrier to becoming a foster carer. If you can provide care, love, and support for a child in need, we would like to hear from you.

This isn’t an issue for prospective foster carers. In some cases, not having other children in the home will actually benefit the foster child.

You may not be! We will consider each application individually and take relevant factors into account, including life experience and physical capacity.

Generally, a foster carer can work just like parents can work. However, a carer needs to be at home full-time to look after a baby (aged zero to two). 

If your job is flexible and you can work around the child or children’s educational needs, you can be considered.

There are also options of offering respite placements if your work pattern is not as flexible.

This doesn't mean you can't become a foster carer. If you have a past or current conviction, you must discuss it with the social worker who visits you.

We would expect you to provide a smoke-free environment. We would also encourage and help people who want to foster to give up smoking, not just for the impact on the child’s health but also for the model presented to children and the known impact of smoking.

Apart from looking after children on a day-to-day basis while meeting their many needs, foster carers work in collaboration with a network of other people who play an important part in the lives of children and young people.

Foster carers have a vital role to play in helping young people maintain positive relationships with family, social workers, teachers, doctors, health visitors and occasionally, members of the legal profession.

Foster carers also work as part of a wider team and help is always available from Hounslow Council to support you along the way.

From the application stage, it should take around sixth months to become an approved carer. See: The fostering journey

Yes. If you are living together, you will need to be jointly assessed.

Foster carers give their time and effort generously, yet may feel they are getting little back.

Foster carers may not see the benefit of their hard work for a long time as each child will develop, adjust, and progress at their own pace.

However, experienced foster carers will look back and see the real difference they have made to the lives of children and young people. See: Foster carer stories