What we need from our carers

Legally, foster carers have to be at least 21 years of age and while there are no upper age limits, a carer must be fit enough to meet the needs of the child.

You will need to have a spare bedroom if you want to be a permanent foster carer, and be able to transport children to school and appointments. However, if you don’t have a spare room, you may be interested in our Home from Home care.

No formal qualifications are necessary but foster carers will need to have had some experience of caring for their own or other people’s children. Slough Children First offers training and support to enhance your skills as well as providing you with an opportunity to develop new ones. What matters most is that you have the time, space, commitment, patience, energy and above all the desire to care and work with both the children and their parents.

We look for people who will:

• understand the differing needs of individual children
• promote a child’s health and education
• respect and promote a young person’s identity, sexuality, religion, culture, race, language and any special needs
• encourage a child to develop and maintain friendships
• show flexibility and resilience in handling a range of challenging behaviours
• encourage and support contact with a child’s parents and family as appropriate
• develop your own skills through preparation and training

Ultimately, Slough Children First is looking for foster families who can offer support, guidance and a positive family environment in which children feel secure, valued and cared for.