One of the most frequently asked questions in regards to fostering, is whether or not you can continue to work once you become a foster parent. While fostering is regarded as a full time job, many foster carers choose to stay at their job, or potentially alter their schedule to meet their new responsibilities.
Can you work and be a foster carer?
Working and being a foster carer depends on the type of fostering you are doing. Many foster carers still work and foster, however some children may need extra attention such as one person working with them at all times, requiring a reduced schedule whereas some children may just be okay on their own during the day-to-day.
You will explore how fostering could work for your circumstances in your assessment and if you want to continue working, not to worry, over 40% of foster parents work while fostering according to the fostering network.
- Reaching out to your employer to discuss fostering is important if you want to plan how fostering will work when you are in work.
- While it is definitely possible to work and foster it is important to take into consideration that being a foster parent is regarded as a full time job, due to the extra responsibilities and care necessary for the children, because of this, you will need to demonstrate a flexible work schedule that allows you to be with your foster child when they are home.
- There are a lot of responsibilities that come along with fostering so you must carefully consider whether continuing to work will allow you to carry out the care necessary for your foster child while also ensuring your own mental wellbeing is being cared for.
- It is necessary to make sure you can balance fostering, with your life outside of it as well as working, if you decide to do so on top of that. This is why its crucial to ensure you have a strong network of people you can connect with and reach out to if you are struggling or overwhelmed in any way.
- Balancing fostering, work and life may lead you to decide on a holiday to ensure you don’t burn out or lose the proper mental health to look after your foster child. This may include going on holiday, however, your foster child cannot join you on this holiday unless a risk assessment in caried out to ensure the safety and protection of the child, to do this, ensure you consult with your social worker beforehand.
- While it is encouraged you bring your foster child with you if you go on holiday, we understand that sometimes a break is needed. If you don’t plan to take your foster child with you on holiday you must discuss with your social worker and arrange alternative care for them while you are away, this may include the child going to respite carers or a short-term foster placement for the duration of your trip
- To focus on your own wellbeing, block out ‘me time’ in your schedule and plan your day/week around that, giving yourself downtime to relax and focus on yourself. You could block out time for, yoga, for instance, to guarantee that you remain in the right mental headspace to care for your foster child.