Once we receive your enquiry, we will contact you to arrange an initial home visit. We will talk about what fostering would mean to you and your family and what you can offer as a family. We will explain what is involved in becoming a foster carer. If we are in agreement that fostering is right for you we would invite to apply online. We will also discuss the types of fostering and the payment scheme we offer.
The assessment takes up to 16 weeks once we have received your fostering application. We are here to support you on your fostering journey and will help guide you along the way.
What does the assessment involve?
Assessment: An assessing social worker will be allocated, they will support you during this journey and collate information about you and your family. During the assessment process, a number of statutory checks will be completed.
Preparation training (Skills to Foster): To help you to develop your skills and knowledge to become a foster carer you will be asked to attend two days training. The preparation training is based on adult learning methods and consists of a mixture or presentation and group work, which draws on personal experiences. There will be no individual role play, and the course is designed to go at the pace of the applicants.
Approval: Following your assessment a report will be presented to fostering panel who will consider your application. You will be invited to attend panel along with your assessing social worker who will support you through this. this meeting may take place online or in person. Once you have been approved as a foster carer you will be looking forward to welcoming a child into your home whether this is for a week, a month, a year or for a lifetime.
PLACEMENT PROCESS?
- STEP 1 – Referral is received
- STEP 2 – The Placement officer and fostering service work together to identify a potential match between our foster care placements and the needs of the child/young person. This will ensure safeguards are in place to protect our foster carers and children.
- STEP 3 – Contact will be made with our foster carers to discuss the potential placement and identify if you could meet the needs of the child/young person
- STEP 4 – After discussion with your supporting social worker, if it is agreed, the placement will then be put forward to the children’s social worker to consider
- STEP 5 – If placement is agreed, the planning stage starts where introductions can be agreed and a placement date can be confirmed. Your social worker will support you with this and arrangements will be made
- STEP 6 – Your social worker along with the child social worker will attend a placement agreement meeting to share more information about the child and ensure that you are fully supported in caring for the child
