What Does It Take To Become A Foster Parent?

In response to one of our reader’s question “Is there more to being allowed to become a foster parent than having the desire and maybe a clean record (as far as child related crimes go)?” I have decided to make a list of the qualifications that one needs to have to become a foster parent. Since I currently live in the state of Utah, USA I thought I would take a look at what the state foster care program required of individuals looking to become foster parents. Some of the qualifications listed on http://utahfostercare.org/become-a-foster-parent/how-to-start/qualifications/ are:

• Foster parents may be married couples or single individuals aged 21 or older. Unmarried couples are unable to be licensed.
• Foster parents must be US citizens or permanent legal residents.
• Foster parents and all persons 18 and older in the home must pass background checks.
• Foster parents need to be financially stable and able to support their family without assistance from the state.
• Foster parents need to be healthy enough to care for children as determined by their own doctor.
• Foster parents will not be licensed to do both foster care and day care at the same time.

They also go on to state what the living arrangement needs to pass to be a safe environment for the foster child to live. They state:

• Your home needs to be clean, in good repair, and free from health and fire hazards.
• There must be a telephone in your home.
• Children of the same sex may share a room, but each must have their own bed.
• Bedrooms must have at least 60 square feet per child. If a child is in a room by themselves, the room should be 80 square feet.
• Your home needs smoke alarms on each floor and at least one approved fire extinguisher.
• You will need to have a first aid kit in your home.
• Medications must be locked up.
• You will also need to lock away any dangerous chemicals – including many cleaning supplies.
• Any firearms and ammunition in your home need to be locked up separately.
• If you have a pool or hot tub, it must be gated or have a locking cover.

If these qualifications are met and one wants to pursue foster parenting over other options such as adoption or respite care then the website says that they will invite you to attend classes that will help you to become a licensed foster parent. They say, at least in Utah, it takes around 4 to 6 months to become licensed.

In the United Kingdom they also require future foster parents to go through a background check of sorts in what they call Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks (https://www.gov.uk/foster-carers). These checks include three types of criminal records checks from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and documentation provided from the individual such as a passport or Biometric residence permit (UK). Foster Parents are also required to get a health check and are required to attend group preparation sessions while their suitability for foster care will be assessed. Like the US this can take up to 6 months. The final decision rests on the fostering service whether or not the person can be a foster parent.

References

(Feb 21, 2014).  Foster Carers. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/foster-carers

(Feb 21, 2014).  Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks (previously CRB checks). Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check/overview

How to Start. Retrieved from http://utahfostercare.org/become-a-foster-parent/how-to-start/

Qualifications. Retrieved from http://utahfostercare.org/become-a-foster-parent/how-to-start/qualifications/