Single Carers as foster carers

Many foster carers are single carers; relationship status isn’t a barrier to fostering; however, as with all foster carers, they should have capacity to care for children looked after. This means that all carers have to be available to take children to appointments, meetings, school (especially younger children), clubs and any other activities. Single carers who are in employment would need to be in jobs which offer considerable flexibility so that the foster carer can meet the needs of the children.

There would also be an additional focus on there being a backup carer and support network for single carers, because if they become unavailable (e.g. due to illness or other commitments), there isn’t a second carer in the home to care for the children.