Fostering - Can you choose the age?

At Orchard Fostering, we provide care to a wide range of children and young people of all ages. We support all age groups during their fostering journey, from infants to those in supported lodgings. While you may have a preference for a certain age group, it is always important to remember – no matter your child’s age, you will always experience the life-changing rewards of caring for a child with Orchard Fostering.

If you’re interested in foster care, please reach out to Orchard Fostering today. We’re available on the phone or via email – you can also fill out a form directly on our contact page.

Can I choose the age of my foster child?

The fostering age range goes from 0- 18 (and may extend up to 23 if the young person remains in education). As a carer, you should be open to the possibility of fostering a child of any age. Your job is to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which any child can flourish – no matter their age. Throughout the assessment process, your social worker is considering and compiling a lot of information about you, your family and your home. The information your social worker gathers helps us make an informed decision about putting a child in your care – including what age group is best suited to your situation.

While you can’t choose the age of your foster child, you can discuss your preferences with your social worker throughout the assessment process – they can offer you lots of information about the different age groups.

What are the guidelines around age gaps in foster care?

As mentioned, your social worker will talk you through the various guidelines related to age groups during your assessment process. Here are a selection of the biggest guidelines to consider:

You cannot foster a child under five if you smoke and there must be one carer at home full time to foster a child under five.
If you have birth children, your youngest child must be over three in order to become a carer.
There must be a two year age gap between your own child or children if you have any. For example, if you have a ten year old you can foster a child up to eight or over twelve.
The age of a child will be based on your experience, skills, comfort levels and capabilities.
Age ranges and suitability are explored and discussed with your assessing social worker throughout the assessment process from the beginning.

What should I expect from foster children of different ages?

Children grow up fast – take note of the difference between a first year and a sixth year the next time you’re walking past your local secondary school. And it’s not just height or shoe size – children experience rapid emotional and mental growth in their formative years.

Fostering a fifteen year old, then, is a lot different to fostering a two year old – they are, effectively, two completely different jobs. Let’s take a look at what to expect when fostering children of different ages.

Fostering a child from 0- 5

Ah, the pre-school years – when everything is loud and messy and full of energy. Fostering a child under five is a very rewarding experience – you are with your child all the time, looking after their every need, bonding all the while. Schooling is on the horizon, but has yet to take over a large chunk of your child’s time.

Fostering a child from 5- 12

This is a time in your child’s life where they will begin to experience the outside world a little more – playing sports, making friends, and, of course attending primary school. Schooling is a major part of your child’s life – and it will become a major part of yours, too. If you’re interested in learning more about starting the school journey with your foster child, check out our pieces on the first day at school, developing homework strategies and teaching at home.

Fostering a child from 12- 18

The secondary school years bring lots of changes to your child’s life. They start to become more independent, developing their own hobbies and interests. They may also start questioning things a little more, so be prepared to have some big conversations with them in these years. Your teenage years can be full of big emotions – so be ready to talk frankly about mental health and wellbeing with your child.

Fostering teens is an immensely rewarding experience – this age is really when a child’s personality begins to develop, something you will bear witness to as you help them through their teenage experience. Teenagers are inquisitive, interested, and invested in everything – there is a reason Generation Z are heralded as the potential saviours of our planet.

If you foster a child over the age of sixteen, you may be providing a supported lodgings service. Supported lodgings is an accommodation scheme for young people over the age of sixteen who can no longer reside at home – it offers a chance at independent living to those over sixteen, while still maintaining a connection to a carer.

While you can’t choose the age of your child, you can be assured that Orchard Fostering will pair you with a child you will care for and connect with throughout your fostering journey, as well as offering you support and guidance specific to their age group.