A foster home is a safe, stable, and supportive environment provided by a trained foster carer for children and young people who cannot live with their birth families. This arrangement may be short-term or long-term, and encompasses many types of fostering according to a child’s needs and circumstances.

When you become a foster carer, your own home becomes a foster home, offering care, comfort, and guidance to a child in need.

What does a foster home need?

One of the most essential requirements for a foster home is a spare bedroom. Under fostering regulations, each foster child must have their own private room where they can feel safe, secure, and comfortable. Entering the care system can be a challenging and emotional experience for a child, so having their own space is crucial to helping them adjust and feel at ease.

The bedroom should:

• Be of a suitable size for a child or young person
• Accommodate a bed, wardrobe, and other basic furniture
• Provide a quiet and personal space for the child

Children in foster care cannot share a bedroom with the foster carer’s own children. This helps ensure that the child feels respected and avoids unnecessary disruption or emotional strain for both the foster child and birth children.

The only time foster children may be allowed to share a room is if they are same-sex siblings. In this case you would need to be approved to care for siblings and have a room that has adequate space for more than one child. 

Understanding what a foster home is goes beyond the physical space—it’s about providing a nurturing environment where children feel safe, respected, and supported. Whether you own or rent, if you can offer a caring home and meet the basic requirements, you can make a lasting difference in a child’s life.