‘The aim of the fostering service is to provide the widest range of high quality, safe and secure foster placements for looked after children and young people’
This policy is intended as guidance for enquirers and applicants and should be read in conjunction with the other information provided on this site. If you have any queries regarding your suitability to foster, please contact us on (0113) 247 4747
Age
We do not operate an upper age limit for applicants, although we would need to take into account health and circumstances if applicants were well into retirement age at the time of application. It would be unusual for us to take up applications from people under 25 years of age.
Health
All applicants are required to undertake a medical as part of their assessment. This is completed by your GP, the cost of which is met by Social Services. Certain medical conditions may affect an ability to foster. We refer any applicant health issues to our Medical Advisor, following discussion with you.
Criminal records and convictions
Checks for criminal records and convictions are taken up for all applicants and any household members over the age of 16 yrs. If an applicant or household member has a conviction in the preceding 2 years, a serious offence or history of offending, the application will be referred to a Fostering Panel before proceeding further.
We require applicants consent for us to undertake Criminal Record Bureau checks for conviction records. We ask for this on your application form and we will discuss with you any convictions disclosed prior to application. This can assist us in advising you if any disclosed convictions affect suitability to foster.
There are certain convictions which would prevent us from proceeding with an application. These include: any offences against children; offences of violence; sexual offences and an established history of offending or dishonesty.
Departmental checks
Please note that we routinely check all enquirer details against Social Services records for any recorded history of involvement us.
Employment
We are able to take up applications from people who are in employment or unemployed. Your work patterns/routine may affect the type of fostering you can offer. It is exceptional for someone to be approved both as a foster carer and registered childminder.
Children's Services employees / Leeds City Council
To comply with Regulation 20 (6) of the Fostering Regulations 2002, we are unable to accept applications / assessment of people to foster if they are:
- An employee of Children's Services
- employees of the Youth Offending Service
- employees of the Family Placement Service
- Senior Officers of Leeds City Council
- Councillors of Leeds City Council
Religion
Applications can be received from people whatever their religious beliefs, unless these beliefs are considered detrimental to a child’s welfare.
Smoking
We will not approve people who smoke to care for children under the age of 5yrs or for children who have respiratory or related problems.
Marital Status
Applications are accepted from single people (male and female), married or unmarried couples and people who are divorced and/or remarried.
Sexuality
Applications are accepted regardless of peoples' sexuality.
Accommodation
Foster carers need to be able to provide sufficient bedroom space for a fostered child/ren. At the very least, a child must have their own bed or cot.
You may own your own home; rent from the local authority; rent privately.
We are unable to accept applications from people with one bedroom accommodation.
All applicants will be expected to meet the our required standards on Health and Safety in the household.
Pets
We are unable to accept applications from people who have a dog breed identified as dangerous by current legislation. Applicants who own dogs will be expected to discuss any issue relating to the management and control of their pet.
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