How do I foster?

How to become a foster carer

From you first getting in touch with us to becoming an approved foster carer is now very quick and efficient, taking around 6 months in total. If you want to become a foster carer then the first thing to do is get in touch so that we know you are interested. We will take your details, and invite you to one of our information events.

One of our social workers will come and visit you in your home. This is to find out more about you, make sure your home is suitable, and tell you more about fostering with us.

This is also a good opportunity to discuss what type of fostering may be best for you. You will need to complete an application form, which includes all your personal details and information about references etc.

There are two stages to the assessment process. Stage one involves us carrying out all the statutory background checks. This includes DBS (formerly known as CRB), employer references etc. When they have all come back clear, you will then enter the stage two part of the assessment. Stage two involves you being paired up with a social worker who will make a number of visits to you in your home. This is to find out everything about you and your family, to build up a case study which is presented to fostering panel.

Fostering panel is made up of a number of professionals and other people with experience of fostering, who will look at the case study to make sure it is robust and indicates that you will be a good foster carer. Panel will make a recommendation that you become a foster carer, which will be rubber-stamped by a member of staff known as the agency decision maker. You will then be an approved foster carer and can start fostering!