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How to Become a Foster Carer
Making an inquiry
After you have made an initial inquiry either by telephone, or online form we will send you an information pack. You should receive this within 5 working days from when we have received the request.
If you would like a visit, we will make an appointment with you within two weeks of your request.
Everyone who is interested in becoming a foster carer undertakes preparation training and the courses are run every three months. You will be expected to complete the training before you can apply for approval from the Foster Panel. Applicants for foster care come from all walks of life and include people who have never attended any kind of training before, so don’t worry about this. The course covers lots of different aspects about being a foster carer and we try and ensure it is relaxed but also very informative and stimulating.
Assessment
You will get an individual visit by a supervising social worker to begin the assessment process. The supervising social worker will give you information about what the assessment process consists of and how it will be completed.
Because we need to make sure that only the right people are given the opportunity to become Foster Carers we will need to carry out a number of checks as part of the assessment on your suitability.
The supervising social worker will gather information from personal referees, the Criminal Records Bureau (police check), health services, children’s social care, education services, the NSPCC, the probation service, and any previous employers.
As part of the assessment you will need a health check with your General Practitioner and we will carry out a health and safety check of your home.
Approval
Your supervising social worker will prepare a report that is presented to the fostering panel. The panel will make a recommendation on whether they approve you to be registered with us as a foster carer, and the service you have been registered to provide (for example short term care, care for two children aged between five and twelve years).
If you are approved we will write to you to confirm the decision and you will be asked to sign a foster care agreement.