Research
You’ve already begun this stage of the process – finding out about the different types of foster carer and whether fostering is right for you. There are many books available to help you make that decision as well as finding out as much as you can about the children needing foster carers.
Choosing the right fostering provider
Find out about the types of fostering and which you think would suit you most before you find a fostering provider that’s right for you and willing to assess you as a foster carer.
The Assessment Process
When you have found a service you are comfortable with, you will begin the formal process of becoming an approved foster carer which falls into three main stages.
Basic checks
The first stage looks at your basic eligibility to foster and includes things like references and a DBS check. Fostering providers have 10 days from the receipt of all information to make a decision on whether you can proceed to the next stage.
Training and assessment
At this point you will begin a series of fostering preparation group sessions that will give both the fostering provider and you a good idea of whether it’s right for you and your family. Following these a dedicated social worker will work with you and your family in more depth, assessing your strengths before presenting it in the Form F report to the fostering panel who make the final recommendation on your suitability to become a foster carer.
Final assessment
The fostering panel makes the final recommendation about your suitability to be a foster carer.