Spinnaker Tower Abseil, Portsmouth
11 July 2026
It’s one of the most common questions we hear: Can I be a foster carer if I have a job? The short answer is yes. In fact, many of our current carers are working professionals, part-time employees, or self-employed.
What matters most is not the number of hours you work, but whether you can offer:
Fostering isn’t a 9-to-5 role, but it also doesn’t require you to be home 24/7. The reality is much more flexible, and we tailor support to fit your lifestyle.
Being a foster carer is about presence, not just availability. You don’t need to quit your job to be a strong role model. What’s more important is:
If you can answer yes to the above, your working pattern is unlikely to be a barrier.
We take great care to match young people with carers who suit their lifestyle and availability. That means we work with you to understand your job, schedule, and home environment before placing a young person.
While you can work full-time with most fostering arrangements, there are different types of fostering that may work better for people with full-time roles, including:
We know you’re busy – and we work around that. Step by Step offers:
You’re never alone on this journey. From your first enquiry to your first placement and beyond, we’re here.
That’s completely okay. Fostering is a big decision. But taking the first step doesn’t mean committing straight away.
Many of our carers started with the same question you have. Today, they’re heroes in young people’s lives.
We are proud to announce the opening of our new move-on property in Bedhampton. This home will support up to four young people aged 18 and over, many of whom might otherwise be left waiting on housing lists, homeless, or relying on a friend’s sofa.
The Bedhampton property is the third Step by Step move-on home – a unique accommodation model for young people ready to move on with their lives but with no viable housing options available to them.
