The fostering approval process

If you would like to find out more about becoming a foster carer, you will need to take the following steps:

• telephone or email us and we will send you an information pack (our details are at the top right hand corner of this page)
• you will need to complete the visit request form that we will enclose and return it to the recruitment and publicity team
• a supervising social worker will then contact you to discuss your interest. If the decision is to take your enquiry further, they will then make an appointment for an introductory visit. This can take place at your local Children and Young People's Services office or they will visit you in your own home
• if you decide to apply to become a foster carer, you will complete various forms and be asked to give your consent for checks to be undertaken including the following:

 the Police (Criminal Records Bureau)

 the Local Health Authority

 the Local Authority  

• we will also contact your GP to confirm your health records and ask you to provide the names of two personal referees whom we can contact
• provided there are no concerns, you will be invited to attend our foundation training course to help you to learn more about fostering. It will also give you the opportunity to meet both experienced foster carers and other people who are interested in fostering.
• a supervising social worker will then visit you on several occasions to get to know you and to gather information to enable them to prepare an assessment report. They will need to talk to everyone who lives with you including any children of your own who no longer live with you. Between you, you will decide what type of fostering is best for you and your family and what age range you would like to foster
• your assessment reports will then be presented to a fostering panel where the decision about your approval will be made. You will be invited to attend the panel with your supervising social worker if you wish. The panel will let you know if you have been approved and you will then receive a certificate and a foster carer's welcome pack.