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Request an Information pack or register your interest
Fill in the form below to request an information pack
Your first step on the fostering process begins with exploring if it’s right for you and your family. Request an information pack and have a chat with our Recruitment Social Worker – no pressure, just an opportunity to ask questions and delve into fostering.
Thinking about fostering? Simply arrange a call back with our friendly recruitment social worker by clicking here or calling 0800 488 0081.
Once you’re keen and meet the basic eligibility criteria, we can organize a home visit to take the next step.
Next, we’ll schedule a home visit to meet you in your own environment for a more detailed conversation. It’s an opportunity for us to learn more about you and your family while offering insights into fostering and our agency.
Once you’re ready to move forward, we’ll invite you to our upcoming Skills to Foster training, also known as preparation training.
The assessment is split into two stages, the enquiry stage or stage one and the assessment stage known as stage two.
Stage One
As part of your stage one assessment, we will carry out a series of statutory checks and information gathering including:
Once all information is collated a decision will be made by the agency whether or not to proceed. If information comes to light that makes your application unsuitable you will be advised at the earliest opportunity that the Agency is unable to proceed.
Stage Two
Stage two of the assessment includes collecting information and compiling a Form F Assessment. A qualified assessing Social Worker will make several visits to your home in order to spend time working with you and your family on your assessment and portfolio. The assessment is a joint project and requires full participation from you and your family to ascertain suitability to become a foster carer.
The process is an enjoyable experience; however it can be demanding and feels intrusive at times. You will need to provide references for people who can be contacted by the assessing Social Worker to discuss your suitability for the fostering role.
Once all the assessment is complete, a panel meeting will be convened to consider approval and a recommendation will be made about your suitability to be approved and the terms of your approval, i.e gender, number of children etc.
Panel is a formal process, but we do ensure applicants are put at ease. You will receive a booklet explaining the process and who will be on panel before you attend. Panels can be virtual or face to face.
The fostering panel comprises of professionals and independent members with professional and personal experience of fostering.
The fostering panel will then deliberate and advise you on the day whether they recommend your approval as a foster carer. The panel recommendation will then go the to the Agency Decision Maker who will make the final decision to approve the applicant or not.
Once approved you will receive the decision in writing and a Foster Carer Agreement which we require you to sign and return agreeing to specific terms and conditions.
You will then be allocated a Supervising Social Worker who will begin your induction and work closely to match your skills with the needs of children referred to us.
You are now ready to begin your fostering career !
Fill in the form below to request an information pack
