Application and assessment process

Once you express an interest in fostering, your suitability to care for children will be assessed. It is a thorough process but is necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of any child that is placed with you. Many applicants find the assessment experience very helpful in understanding their strengths and skills as parents.

Initial visit
If you wish, a member of the fostering team will visit you in your home to discuss fostering further and answer any questions you may have.

Training
If you and the member of the fostering team both agree to continue your application you will be invited to undertake some preparation training.

Application Form
Once you have successfully completed preparation training you will be asked to complete an application form, which will formalise your application to foster. At this stage you will be asked to undergo a medical with your GP, which we will pay for. A number of child safety checks, including a police and social services check, will be carried out. You will also be asked to nominate referees. The referees should not be relatives but can be friends, colleagues or anyone else who knows you well.

Assessment
A social worker from the fostering team will complete a detailed assessment on you and your family. You will work closely alongside the social worker in completing this assessment. It is important that you talk openly and honestly to the social worker about your life and family during this assessment process, which is usually carried out within four to six months. You will then have the opportunity to read the report and add your own comments. During this time you will be able to consider how fostering will affect you and your family and friends, and reflect on topics raised with you by the social worker.

At any stage of the process you are free to withdraw your application. Similarly the Fostering Team may feel that they are unable to proceed with your application and in this case would give you reasons for the decision.

Fostering panel
The completed assessment with recommendations is presented at the Fostering panel to which you will be invited. The panel consists of a group of people with expertise and experience in fostering or childcare. They will decide whether to approve you as a foster carer and the ages and number of children you can foster. Your suitability to care for children will be reviewed annually.