Is It Possible to Foster if You Already Have Children?
I already have children but I still want to foster a child. How possible can this be? It is a question that you might be seeking an answer to. Luckily, we have all the details including the possibility of fostering if you already have children, how to go about it, the kind of training you need, and some of the challenges that you will face and how you will mitigate them.
Is it possible to become a foster Carer even when you have your children?
Of course yes. You can become a foster carer even when you have your children. We do not have restrictions in the UK that prohibit families to foster. But just think about it, if you have children, fostering becomes a little bit more complex because you have your children’s needs and the foster child’s needs that must be met.
Usually, we help parents with children to find matches that will suit their existing families. One of the basic things that we do is to ensure that you are fostering a child who is not so close to the age of your children. By far, this single act will reduce conflicts among the children in your home.
How to foster when you have your children?
The fostering process remains relatively the same even when you have your own children in your home. We still abide by the fostering laws in the UK that require you to be at least 21 years, legally working in the UK, and able to take care of a foster child.
When assessing your application, we’ll require that you have an extra bedroom for your fostered child. We will also look at the age of your children and advice on the best age that you need for a fostered child. Out of experience, we know that children are likely to conflict when their ages are so close.
At the end of the day, our fostering services to carers who already have children are targeted to provide a safe home environment for the fostered child and your children in equal measure.
Challenges that you are likely to face when fostering if you already have children
Let’s face it, you will experience a few challenges when you go ahead to foster a child if you already have children. Luckily, we have a set of measures to mitigate these emerging challenges. Therefore, we’ll share the challenges and how you can solve them easily.
Adjusting to a new family member
The extra demand for time and attention are among the things that you will have to face when you foster a child or a young person. It will be somewhat overwhelming if you are doing it for the first time. This is because you will take a lot of time adjusting to the new situation where you have your children and a foster child.
Solution:
When you foster with us, we will help you mitigate this challenge in various ways. For example, we will assign a social worker who will help cope during the adjustment period. We’ll also recommend networks of foster carers who have faced similar challenges before to help you understand the best ways of handling foster children when you already have yours.
Challenging behavior
One of the biggest challenges that most foster parents face, whether they have their children or not, is fostering a child with behavioural issues. This can lead to disappointment if you don’t know how to handle it.
Solution:
We teach foster carers how to manage different behavioural issues that children show. We understand that every foster child is different but the kind of strategies we share with you can help you manage well your children and the foster child.
Conflict with your own children
The truth is that your children might not like the idea of having a foster child. It can be hard to mitigate these challenges if you did not think through them before fostering.
Solution:
You need to talk to your children about your plans to foster a child. You must be all on the same page on this issue before you commit to fostering a child. We also ensure that we give you a fostered child of the right age to avoid any conflict.
Fostered children wanting to leave your care
For one reason or the other, the foster child might be uncomfortable in your home. This might lead to them feeling that they should be out of your care. When they start feeling this way, it can be very intimidating to have them around.
Solution:
Again, we consider this factor during our matching process. We research the background information of the child before assigning them to you. But in case you face such a situation, we advise you to contact us immediately and we will help you come up with a lasting solution.
There could be more challenges but these are the ones you are likely to face. Always know that you are not alone in the fostering journey; we work with you along the way. Feel free to contact us if you are unsure of how to handle an emerging situation in your home.
Do you need training to take care of foster children when you have your own children?
Firstly, you must undergo mandatory training that will introduce you to fostering. The core courses that you will undertake include First Aid, Safeguarding, Recording and Reporting, health and Safety, Safe Care, and Attachment.
However, because you are committing to foster a child when you have your children at home, you will also need training in the following courses:
- Behaviour management
- Drug and substance abuse
- Child Sexual Exploitation
- The Adolescent Task
We also offer personalised training that will be required based on the personal needs of foster parents.
Final thoughts
You shouldn’t worry about fostering a child if you already have children. Think of fostering as a human duty that we all should undertake. Many children in the UK require foster care and you could be the bridge that helps in reducing the numbers and putting smiles on these faces.
Therefore, contact us today to share information about how you can foster a child to add to your family. After all, we have different types of foster care that could fit your family’s needs.
