What is the difference between Fostering Agencies and Local Authorities?

All children in the care system are legally the responsibility of local authorities (councils). Initially, local authorities seek placements with their own foster carers. When a suitable match isn't found, they turn to private fostering agencies like Skylark Fostering. This is often because the child has complex needs or the local authority lacks carers in the right area.

What’s the difference between Fostering and Adoption?

Both fostering and adoption provide vulnerable children with safe, nurturing environments. However, they have fundamental differences. Fostering is usually temporary, with the goal of reunification with birth families, while adoption is a permanent legal transfer of parental rights. Understanding these distinctions can help you decide whether fostering or adoption is right for you.

What is the age range for becoming a foster carer?

There is no upper age limit for fostering; as long as you have the energy, dedication, time, and space to welcome a child, you could be a great foster carer. The minimum age requirement is 21 years. We welcome applications from individuals in their 20s and 30s, provided there is evidence of stability and security in their living arrangements.

What is the employment status of foster carers?

All foster carers must be registered as self-employed and are responsible for their taxes. Registering is straightforward and can be done online through HMRC. Foster carers can also qualify for the Qualifying Care Relief Scheme, which allows some payments to be tax free, potentially reducing annual tax liability. Skylark can offer further financial advice and guidance regarding all aspects of this.

Can I work full time and foster?

Children in foster care require stability due to their previous experiences. At Skylark Fostering, we stress the importance of a nurturing and stable environment. We expect our foster carers to be available to offer full-time, personalised care, which includes avoiding full-time daycare for young children and reducing dependency on before or after-school care for school-aged children. It's also worth noting that fostering can be a viable career choice; for instance, fostering two children with us can equate to an annual salary of around £60,000.

Can foster children share a bedroom?

Foster carers must have a spare room for fostering. Siblings of the same gender can share a room if it's large enough, but as children grow, they will need their own space. This consideration is discussed during initial planning and matching stages. Fostered children should not share a bedroom with your own child unless matched to you on a long-term basis and all parties (including the children!) are in agreement.

How will Skylark Fostering match a child to my family?

Our matching process ensures that potential foster families can meet the specific needs of children taken into care. We consider the preferences, lifestyles, and interests of the foster family, as well as their ability to meet the child’s needs. Through a thoughtful approach, we aim to create successful and resilient fostering arrangements.

Skylark Fostering and CHARMS

3 Apr

Written By Trish Kelly

**Why Skylark Fostering Chose CHARMS as Our Case Management System Provider**

At Skylark Fostering, we understand how vital it is to have a secure, reliable, and easy-to-use case management system to support our carers, staff, and the children and young people we care for. From the very beginning of setting up Skylark, we knew we needed a trusted service provider who could help shape the foundation of our agency—and that’s why we chose to utilise **CHARMS**.

CHARMS is a secure, online case management system used by foster care and other care agencies to manage all aspects of record keeping. For Skylark, it has played an essential role from the ground up. We’ve worked closely with the CHARMS team to design and implement all our recording tools, templates, and documentation needed for our staff, foster carers, and independent professionals.

We chose CHARMS not only for its robust security features and user-friendly interface, but also because of the high level of support the team provides. Their responsiveness and understanding of the fostering sector make them an ideal partner for an agency like ours that is focused on delivering outstanding care.

Once approved, all of our foster carers receive one-to-one training from our dedicated CHARMS Account Manager, ensuring they feel confident and supported in using the platform. They also have access to a dedicated support line for any queries that may arise.

The platform is also used confidently by our Skylark staff and independent panel members. CHARMS works closely with all our users to ensure they have the knowledge and access needed for their specific roles—whether that’s assessments, panel decisions, or day-to-day care recording.

We are proud of the strong relationship we’ve built with the CHARMS team and we truly value their commitment to helping us grow. If you're considering fostering with Skylark, rest assured that CHARMS is here to support you every step of the way.

Trish Kelly

Skylark Fostering and CHARMS

Why Skylark Fostering Chose CHARMS as Our Case Management System Provider

Shortlisted for Community Champion Award