Initial discussion
You will be visited by a social worker who will have initial
discussions with you about foster care. They'll give you details of
the assessment process. You will be asked to fill in an application
form about yourself and other members of your household. This form
gives us permission to carry out criminal records bureau and other
checks. We need to make sure that you've not committed any
offences that automatically disqualify you from fostering. You'll
be asked for proof of your identity (like a passport, birth or
marriage certificate) and will ask for you to have a health check
to show you don't have any major health problems.
Step 2
You will receive an invitation to attend the mandatory
pre-approval training, where you'll learn more about what's
involved in fostering. This is also a chance to meet other people
who are going through the process, and talk to experienced foster
carers. If you are successful on the course, you will be allocated
a social worker who will carry out your personal assessment.
They will explain the skills and qualities that foster carers
need. They will also discuss how you can demonstrate your skills
through practical examples of activities you're already involved
in. The social worker will conduct an in depth assessment which
also looks at your life, family, values, skills and childhood
experiences. This assessment will cover a range of subjects
relating to the needs of children who require fostering.
Step 3
We will take up your personal and employer references. We will
ask your permission to contact ex partners and adult children. The
reasons for this will be explained to you at the initial visit. All
the information gathered by the social worker is put into a report
outlining your skills, your future training needs and areas where
perhaps you need more help. You'll see the social workers report
and you can make your own comments in writing. The social worker
then presents the report to the fostering panel. You will be
invited to the panel and there is an expectation that you will
attend.
Step 4
The panel will make a recommendation to the agency
decision-maker whether or not to approve you as a foster carer and
the number, age and gender of children you can foster. The Agency
Decision maker will then review the papers and the recommendations,
advised by panel, and give their final decision regarding approval
within 2 weeks of the panel date.
If you are not approved your social worker will discuss the
reasons with you and we will write to you. You will be able to put
forward your own views and appeal the decision. Once you're
approved you'll be given further information about training
opportunities by a social worker who will support you as a foster
carer. Although within the first year you will be expected to
undertake the Induction to Foster Care, which is a national
programme.
Completion of the journey
A child or young person is placed with you. Their age and the
length of their stay depend on the type of fostering you're
approved for. our progress and development as a foster carer will
be reviewed each year. Your approval is also reviewed when there's
significant change in your circumstances. If we decide that
fostering is not the way forward for you, we will always explain
our reasons behind the decision. You have a right to appeal against
the decisions we make.