Who can foster?
Hillingdon is a diverse and inclusive borough, and our children and young people in care come from various backgrounds. Because of this, it's important we have foster carers from all walks of life, with different life experiences, skills and qualities to help meet their needs.
We accept applications from people from any social, ethnic, cultural or religious background; it does not matter if you are single, married, living with a partner, or in a same-sex relationship.
We extend a warm welcome to members of Hillingdon's LGBTQ+ community who might be considering fostering. As an LGBTQ+ person, your life experiences could be a real help to children who are working out their own sexual identity or who may have encountered discrimination or prejudice.
No matter what your gender or sexual orientation, if you're compassionate and can provide a stable environment for a child or young person, we'd love to hear from you.
Could you foster?
There are some common criteria that we need you to meet.
- Are you committed to caring for someone else's child?
- Do you have the time and space in your life to offer a home to a child in need?
- Are you aged 21-years-old and above?
- Do you agree to completing various checks, including DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and medical?
- Do you have previous relevant childcare experience?
- Do you have a spare bedroom for a child aged 2 years and above (carers for babies up to 2-years-old can have a cot placed in the foster carer's bedroom if there is sufficient space)?
- Are you a non-smoker as that is required if fostering children under 5?
If the answer is 'yes', then you could be the type of person we are looking for.
You don't need to:
- own your home - but you do need a secure rental tenancy
- live in Hillingdon - but should live close enough to be within travelling distance of local schools
- be in employment - but you do need to be financially stable.
Think this could be you?
Register your interest