Foster or adoptive parents

If you are an approved foster carer, you are allowed a separate bedroom for each foster child for the first 52 weeks they live with you.

If they stay with you for longer than a year then the same rules apply as to families who have their own children. So, you are allowed one bedroom for:

• two children under the age of 10 (regardless of their sex)
• two children of the same sex between 10 and 16
• any other child.

This means that if you have children of your own they may have to share a bedroom with a foster child, if age and gender allow for this.

If you are applying to be a foster carer and have a shortfall in your rent then you may be able to apply for help with your rent through the discretionary housing payment fund.

Prospective and approved adoptive parents

You will not be entitled to extra rooms until you are approved as an adoptive parent and the child joins your family.  

As with prospective foster carers, you may be able to apply for help with your rent through the discretionary housing payment fund.