General Questions
Q? What is the difference between Children of All Nations Fostering Agency and Local Authority?
A. Children of All Nations work in partnership with local authorities by providing them with a fostering service. Local Authority is different to Children of All Nations in the sense that they have overall responsibility for the welfare of all children in public care. Local Authority aim to make sure children and young people that all children in public care have the best standard of care possible. As an agency we aim to fill this need by providing our own social workers, foster carers and support staff with the goal providing stable and supportive environments not only for children and young people but also the carers who we recruit.
Q? I’m single – does that matter?
A. Yes, you do not have to be married or have a partner to become a foster career. As long as you have the skills, the experience and a nurturing approach to childcare, we would welcome your interest in fostering.
Q? Can I foster if I do not have children of my own?
A. Of course, but you will need to demonstrate that you have some experience of managing children. You may have cared for family members or you may have done childminding or teaching, which offers you transferrable skills to support the fostering task. If you are unsure of whether you have enough experience, please contact us so that we can talk you through this.
Q? Can I foster if I work?
A. Like most Local Authorities and Independent Fostering Agencies,COAN have no problem with you working while you foster, all we ask is that you consider your availability in supporting a looked after child as providing a high quality of care is paramount. This availability should include your ability to do the school runs, attend meetings, training and provide care during the holiday periods.
Q? Do I have to own aproperty?
A. Your space to foster and home environment is something we look closely at when considering fostering applications. You do not have to be homeowner to foster, however, we will ask you to request written permission from your landlord as they need to be fully aware that you intend to foster. This is essential in order to provide to provide a stable, healthy and nurturing caring environment.
Q? Can someone be too old to foster?
A. At COAN we do not see age as a pressing factor in your ability to foster. As long as you are active and fit enough to provide a high quality of care you are fit to foster.
Q? How long does it take to become a foster carer?
A. We try to complete the application process as swiftly as possible however it can take anywhere between 4 to 6 months.
Q? After I have passed the application process, what happens next?
A. Once you have passed the application process the Children of All Nations, including the Form F, Stage 1 and Stage 2 process, our placements manager will begin the matching process in order to search for a potential placement for you. COAN will provide you with a Supervising Social Worker in order to make sure you have all the supervision and support you need as a foster parent.
Q? What sort of behaviours do foster children have?
A. Children who come into care like most children will have behaviours stemming from there age, development and personal experience. Looked after children personal experiences will be amplified due to the added strain of being separated from their homes, families and friends alongside other distressing experiences. These experiences can manifest into harmful behaviours such as stealing, lying or self-harm and can also impact how they sleep, eat and interact with others. No matter the behaviour, our team at COAN, alongside our Carers aim to provide a stable environment in order for these behaviours to improve.
Q? Can I apply to Children of all Nations if I don’t live in Croydon?
A. Yes you can, we receive referrals from most local authorities in around London. We are therefore seeking carers in all areas of London and would welcome your interest.
Personal
Q? If I have a criminal conviction can I foster?
A. The nature of the criminal conviction determines whether you can foster or not. The nature of this offence must be discussed with your social worker and you will need to disclose this information on your application form.
Q? Do I receive training to become a foster carer?
A. While you are being assessed you will attend the mandatory ‘Skills to Foster’ training course. Once you have passed and been approved COAN also assist in your ‘Training Support and Development’ portfolio which is fundamental in the first 12 months after your approval. Alongside this COAN provide a full training program throughout the year in order to enhance your skills as a foster carer.
Q? I have a partner, but they do not live me with me should I include them on the application form, and do they need to also need checks carried out?
A. It is important on your application form to include any significant person in your life, particularly if they are a frequent visitor to your household. At COAN we consider all couples living together as foster carer applicants, thus we require both of you to have the necessary checks and training as part of the assessment process. Even if you are the main carer, anyone living in your home will have some sort of involvement and influence in your fostering.
Q? What knowledge will I have of the child or young person before they are placed with me?
A. Before a child or young person is placed we discuss the potential placement including your decision to accept the child or young person into your home. COAN aims to share as much information with regards to the child or young person’s background no matter how much or how little. Our team aims to piece together as much information as possible in order to make the perfect placement match.
Q? Can a child I foster share a bedroom with one of my own children?
A. Most Local Authorities have their own policies and procedures with regards to bedroom sharing. At COAN, however we only place children and young people in a household in which he or she will have their own bedroom unless they are a sibling group and thus able to share.
Q? Would I receive extra help if a child / young person placed with me has special needs or disability?
A. If a child or young person has special needs or a disability this will be disclosed before the placement is made including how all the necessary assistance will be implemented. As an agency our role is to provide you with as much support as possible including the necessary training.
Fostering Allowance and Tax Benefits
Q? How much is the Fostering Allowance?
A. At Children of All Nations we believe that our carers and foster children should have a healthy and strong living environment. COAN offers from £350 fostering allowance per child per week depending on children’s needs. This allowance is paid when children are in care and is not paid when carers do not have placements.
Q? What does the weekly allowance cover?
A. The purpose of fostering allowance is to cover all the needs of your foster children or child in placement. These include clothing, food, travel, activities, savings and so on. Our fostering handbook provides guidance on how money should be spent on each child, to ensure that the child has a healthy and balanced life.
Q? Will I be taxed on the allowance?
A. There’s a fixed tax exemption of up to £10,000 per year (less if for a shorter period) which is shared equally among any foster carers in the same household. This means you do not have to pay tax on the first £10,000 income you make from fostering.
Q? Do I qualify for any tax relief?
A. On top of the £10,000 exemption, you also get tax relief for every week (or part week) that a child is in your care. This means you do not have to pay tax on some of your earnings over £10,000.
Q? Will I have to pay National Insurance?
A. All foster carers must register as self-employed, so must register to pay National Insurance contributions. You can obtain get information by calling the Newly Self-Employed Helpline on 0845 915 4515.
For information with regards to Tax, Benefits and Insurance please see :
www.gov.uk/foster-carers/help-with-the-cost-of-fostering
www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/advice-information/finances/tax-and-national-insurance