We hope our website has provided you with a clearer understanding of foster caring and its responsibilities.  However, we appreciate there are many complexities involved and have therefore included answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Please feel free to browse our responses below.  Or alternatively, call us on 01244 550300 or email info@newfocas.co.uk for further information.

To Foster for NEWFOCAS you will need to have:

• A spare bedroom.
• A Driving licence and use of a car.
• A computer, to send and receive emails.

Fostering is a very rewarding but challenging career, so, you will need to be resilient and mindful of the needs of children in care.  You will need to be able to respond to a child and help them fulfil their potential.

To be a foster carer for NEWFOCAS you can be single, married, gay, lesbian, divorced or cohabiting.  You do not have to have, or have had children.  NEWFOCAS are looking for people who can give a child a safe and secure family environment to live in, who can care for a foster child as part of their family.

Would I be employed?

No, you would be a self-employed.  You would be responsible for you own tax and national insurance, however, NEWFOCAS do have a support services that can help you with any queries regarding this.

Would having a criminal conviction stop me from Fostering?

Not necessary, as it would depend on the nature of the conviction.  As part of your fostering assessment NEWFOCAS would carry out a Criminal Bureau (DBS) check on anyone 18 years old and above living in your household.   If any of your household have a criminal conviction, you should declare this to NEWFOCAS at the initial stages.