What age can you start fostering?

The minimum age to foster children in the UK is 21 years old. There is no maximum age limit.

Regardless of age, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have good knowledge and experience of caring for children within the age range that they aim to foster. Experience may be through parenting, supporting other parents or through professional experience.

Applicants must also be in good health at the time of the application and be likely to be in good health for the period that they plan to foster. All fostering applicants (and approved foster carers) are required to complete a medical assessment to demonstrate that they are in good enough health to foster.