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.

Fostering with Skylark: Don’t take our word for it…

7 Sept

Written By Trish Kelly

In the Words of One of Our Foster Families 💛

When you’re thinking about fostering, it’s natural to have questions. What will the journey really be like? Will we be supported? How will fostering affect our family? And, perhaps most importantly, can we really make a difference?

Sometimes, the best people to answer those questions are the people already living that journey. 🏡

Don’t just take our word for it - hear from the people who know fostering with Skylark best: our incredible foster carers.

Their honest reflections capture the challenges, the life-changing moments and the joy of helping a child feel safe, valued and cared for. They also remind us that fostering isn’t something anyone should have to navigate alone.

Here, one of our fostering families shares what the journey has meant to them, how they felt when they first considered fostering and why choosing Skylark has been one of the most rewarding decisions they have ever made. 💙✨

“When we first started thinking about fostering, we had
so many emotions. We were excited about the possibility of making a real
difference to a child’s life, but we were also nervous and unsure about what
the journey would bring. Taking that first step felt like a huge decision for
our family.

From the very beginning, Skylark made such a difference. We were put at
ease from our initial conversation with Tim. We never felt judged or pressured;
instead, we felt listened to, understood and genuinely supported. Everyone we
met made us feel that they really cared about us, our family and, most
importantly, the children we hoped to welcome into our home.

One of the things we love most about Skylark is the family feel. It
doesn’t feel like you’re simply joining an agency - it feels like you’re
becoming part of a family. We’ve always felt that there is someone there for
us, whether we need advice, reassurance, or simply someone to talk things
through with.

Fostering has changed our lives in ways we never expected. There are
certainly challenges, but there are also moments that touch your heart and
remind you exactly why you chose to do this. Seeing a child begin to trust,
grow in confidence, feel safe and realise that they are cared for is something
that is incredibly difficult to put into words.

We honestly couldn’t imagine doing this journey without the support of
Skylark. They have been there for us every step of the way, celebrating the
good moments with us and supporting us through the harder ones.

If you’re considering fostering, we know how daunting that first step can
feel because we’ve been there ourselves. Our advice would simply be to have
that conversation. You might be surprised by how quickly those nerves turn into
excitement and how supported you feel.

For us, choosing Skylark has been one of the most rewarding decisions
we’ve ever made. We’re incredibly proud to be foster parents, and even prouder
to be part of the Skylark family.”
- Feedback received from Skylark Fostering Foster Carers September 2026.

Could your fostering journey start with a conversation? 🌱

We think those words say far more about fostering with Skylark than we ever could.

There is no pretending that fostering is always easy. It asks a great deal of the people who open their homes and their lives to children who need them. But, as this family so beautifully describes, alongside the challenges can come extraordinary moments. 💛

And you don’t have to know all the answers before you begin.

If fostering is something you’ve been thinking about - whether for a few weeks or for many years - the first step can simply be a conversation. There’s no pressure and no expectation. It’s an opportunity to ask your questions, talk through your circumstances and discover whether fostering might be right for you and your family.

At Skylark, we want our foster carers to feel known, valued and supported throughout their journey, because when foster families are well supported, they are in the best possible position to help children thrive. 🏡

Could you be part of the Skylark family?

Get in touch with us for a friendly, informal chat about fostering and take that first step towards making a lasting difference in a child’s life. 💙

Trish Kelly

Fostering with Skylark: Don’t take our word for it…

In the Words of One of Our Foster Families 💛

Don’t just take our word for it - hear from the people who know fostering with Skylark best: our incredible foster carers.

Could your fostering journey start with a conversation? 🌱

Skylark Fostering Supports Boo’s Book Buddies