Can i foster with a criminal record

We work with foster carers who are single, married, co-habiting, divorced, gay, lesbian and heterosexual.

We also recruit foster carers from different religious and cultural backgrounds. There are a few requirements we ask for before you can become a foster carer and you can learn more about those on our who can foster page. It depends on your conviction and when it happened. Any information shared with us remains strictly confidential at all times.

We carry out a few checks to protect the foster children we work with. You will need to have a police check and get a free Working with Children Check, which includes a criminal record check for offences involving children. You will also need to complete a health questionnaire and GP medical exam, provide three personal references, and pass a standard Housing Safety check. We check all adults in your home, including children over 16 years old.

This is because everyone living in your home will have some involvement with your foster child. We will generally only place a child in a home where he or she will have their own bedroom.

We think that the high-quality care all our foster children and young people need is only possible by having at least one full-time foster carer. We expect a foster carer to be as available to their foster children as they would be to their own children. Reasons for a child to be taken into care How to adopt from foster care Fostering Vs Adoption. Fostering with a criminal record Looking to become a foster carer, but unsure if having a criminal record will disqualify you from applying?

What disqualifies you from being a foster parent in the UK? During the foster care assessment period, a part of this assessment will be to determine whether you have any previous convictions which would affect your wish to become a foster parent However, types of criminal offences such as offences against children, sexual offences or violent crimes would likely disqualify you from being able to foster. Can I foster with a criminal record?

Related knowledge centre. Reasons for a child to be taken into care. Difference between short-term and long-term fostering. Related pages. About Foster Care. Related events. Come and meet us at the Preston Market! Thinking of fostering? Yes No. Contact details. How did you hear about us? Please call back During the morning During the afternoon During the evening Anytime. Do something extraordinary in , start your fostering journey!

Fostering as a career. Fostering Siblings. How to adopt from foster care. Who Can Foster? Find out more about fostering with Excel Fostering. Download our helpful guide to becoming a foster carer Download Now. Contact us by completing our online form and one of our fostering advisors will respond to your enquiry within 24 hours.

Enquire now. Children and young people need a special kind of person to really connect with and this will not be overlooked when you apply, if you are the right person for the role. Part of your application process will include a Disclosure and Barring Service DBS check on everyone living at your address over the age of Before going through the application process, it is always expected that you talk to us about any criminal record you, or someone living in your household, may have.

Being open and honest about these past offences from the very beginning will help to assess the possibility of you becoming a foster carer; the earlier you mention it, the better. Talking about the past offences committed by yourself, or another person living in your household, can be a daunting prospect. However, having a criminal record will not automatically disqualify you from becoming a foster carer. Many things are taken into consideration when a criminal record is being assessed, including:.

It is always important to be honest when applying to be a foster carer, so make sure you mention any criminal records as soon as the opportunity arises. You can read more on the UK legislation around fostering with a criminal record here. Alternatively, you can learn a bit more about the process of becoming a foster parent and request a digital brochure today.

If you have more questions about fostering a child with a criminal record, you can give us a call on and we will be able to answer any questions you may have. What is taken into consideration?