Initial Telephone Chat
This is to answer any initial questions you may have and also for us to ask you some basic questions to establish if fostering is right for you and your family.
Home Visit
If you are interested in pursuing your application, we’ll come to your home and meet with you (this may be undertaken using Facetime etc during Covid). You can ask more questions and we’ll have a look around your house to make sure it’s suitable for fostering.
Application
When you decide you want to proceed, you’ll need to complete an application form which will help provide us with the information to commence the references and background checks required by law.
Background Checks
We’ll take apply for all the checks required by law for you to become a foster parent, this involves personal and work references, Enhanced DBS check and local authority checks. It’s about this time that we will start to provide you with the basic training you will need.
Fostering Assessment
An assessing social worker will meet with you and undertake your assessment to become a foster parent. This is easier than it sounds and nothing to worry about. More will be explained about this process on the initial chat or home visit.
Panel
Your fostering assessment will be presented to a fostering panel. Their job is to ensure that all the checks have been completed and that you are fit to become a foster parent.
Agency Decision Maker
This person takes into consideration any recommendations from the fostering panel and makes a final decision on your approval as a foster parent.
The whole process can take anything from 3 – 8 months depending on the speed of return of you checks and your availability during the assessment.
