Do I need special qualities or skills?

There are no hard and fast rules regarding the skills and qualities you need to adopt or foster a child or group of brothers and sisters.

All sorts of children need all sorts of people. However, agencies will be looking for people who:

• are willing to learn and seek support,
• have space in their lives and home,
• have generosity of spirit,
• are adaptable and emotionally resilient,
• are able to value the child’s past experiences,
• like children, and are able to communicate with them and see the world through their eyes.
• are patient, sensitive, flexible, have lots of energy, and a sense of humour,
• have ‘stickability’ (an ability to remain committed to the child through both good and challenging times), and
• have some experience of caring for children.

How much do you know about adoption and fostering? Take our new quiz.

Now you might want to read more about the assessment process involved in adoption and fostering.

Last updated: 16 November 07

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