Do You Need A Spare Room to Foster?

It's a legal requirement for any child over the age of 3 to have their own room. This is to ensure the child you foster has the privacy and space they require. Babies, however, can usually share a foster carer's bedroom up to a certain age (usually around 12-18 months).

A child or young person's bedroom is a place they can call their own and it acts as their special ‘safe-haven’ - somewhere they can go to get a sense of quiet and privacy, or even to play and be creative.

It’s also a really important part of helping a child in foster care feel like they belong. Importantly, it also acts as a kind of ‘stepping-stone’ into their new foster family, helping them acclimatise and settle in. For these reasons, local authorities won't generally allow them to share a bedroom with other children (except with their own siblings depending on age and space available).

For foster parents, there’s another practical reason why a separate room is important. It’s a place where children in care can learn boundaries and routines, such as regular bedtimes, or spend time without disrupting other members in the household.

Foster care bedroom requirements

The minimum requirement for a foster child's bedroom is that it’s safe, secure and well-maintained, and has enough space to fit a single bed, desk and chest of drawers or a wardrobe.

The spare room for fostering must always be available for a child in your care. For example, if you have children living away at university, there must be another bedroom for them to come to over the holidays.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the home requirements for foster care?

Firstly, it doesn't matter if you own or rent your home. If you're living in a rental property, you will need to ask the landlord for permission before you become a foster parent.

Regardless of whether you own or rent your home, you'll also need to inform your home insurance provider to ensure that your existing policy adequately covers fostering too.

You'll also need to have adequate space to welcome a child into your home, so they have their own bedroom and personal space.

As part of your assessment, we'll also complete a health and safety assessment of your home, and will speak to you about any concerns and work that needs to be completed to foster.

This assessment will cover things like:

Checking that your home is clean, well-maintained and safe for a child to be placed with you.
Ensuring your home meets the latest fire regulations, including testing your fire and C02 alarms.
Making sure any outdoor space is secure and safe for children to play in.
Checking you have a secure place to store sharp and potentially dangerous items, such as knives, medicine, and harmful chemicals.

We will also need to complete a DBS check on anybody over the age of 18 who's living in your home, including any other children, family members and lodgers.

What counts as a spare bedroom for fostering?

We generally look for a room that's big enough to fit a bed, bedside cabinet and small wardrobe. Ideally, there would also be room for a desk where the child can do their homework, and space for them to play too.

However, we understand that many homes are not built with this kind of space within each bedroom, so we'd also check whether there are other areas within the home that could be used for these kinds of activities. For example, is there a quiet space for a desk where a child could do their homework? Is there ample space around the home for a child to play?

The bedroom for fostering would also need to be either on the same level or above your bedroom.

Can my children share a bedroom so I have a spare bedroom for fostering?

To provide a nurturing environment when fostering, it's necessary for every child in your home to have their own bedroom when fostering.

Providing individual bedrooms allows each child to have their own personal space, offering a sanctuary for moments of solitude and reflection. This arrangement also helps to minimise potential conflicts, enhances privacy, and fosters a deep sense of belonging for each child in the home.

Can a foster child share a bedroom with my child?

No, children in care must have their own bedroom.

This provides them - and your child - with privacy and somewhere they can chill out on their own, as well as a greater sense of belonging.

Can foster siblings share a bedroom?

Generally, it's a requirement for each child in the foster home to have their own bedroom.

There may be some special circumstances where a local authority may allow young siblings in care to share a bedroom if they believe it's the best option for the children's needs.

For example, a local authority may have two families available:

Family A - local to the children's community, including their family, friends and school, however, the children would need to share a bedroom.
Family B - children would not need to share a bedroom, however, they live in another local authority district and would need to travel further to attend school and spend time with family.

In this scenario, the local authority may decide that family A would be more able to meet the children's needs. However, this decision is completely up to the local authority.

1. Keep walls neutral

It's best to keep the walls a fresh but neutral colour when a child arrives at your home. Instead, perhaps stick up some posters of their favourite pop star, animals or cartoon characters - depending on their age of course. You should be able to find out this information from your supervising social worker or from one of our dedicated referrals officers.

2. Decorate with posters

We’re not necessarily talking new wallpaper, but all the other things that turn a room into something special. Maybe it’s posters, or a bookcase, or streamers from the ceiling. Perhaps it’s somewhere special to keep the child’s toys. The important thing is to take time to do it and to involve children in the process. That way they’ll make the room their own and be happy to be there.

3. Add soft furnishings

Cushions, bean bags, throws and blankets can make a bedroom feel cosy and homely and will be a real source of comfort during those first few days and weeks while a child is adapting to living in your home.

4. Keep a night light

Many children are afraid of the dark, even teenagers, and so it's a good idea to put a night light in the child's room, as they may not feel comfortable telling you to begin with.

Preparing for your first child

As well as getting the bedroom ready, there are lots more things you can do to prepare for your first child. Read some of the advice from our foster parents.

How to create a happy room for children in care

While there are minimum requirements your spare bedroom in order to foster, there’s much more you can do to prepare it so that it is a safe and welcoming place that actually helps build a child’s confidence and becomes somewhere they love and want to be.

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Whether you’re ready to start your journey or just want to chat to an expert, we're here to talk.

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