If you’ve been thinking about fostering, you may have lots of questions about what happens next. How do you apply? How long does it take? What checks are involved? And perhaps most importantly, will you be suitable to foster?
The process is designed to give you, your fostering agency and the relevant professionals time to understand whether fostering is right for you and the children or families you could care for.
Here’s our step-by-step guide to how to become a foster carer.
Step 1: Find out if parent and child fostering is right for you
Before you begin the formal process, it’s worth finding out more about fostering and considering how it could fit into your life.
You’ll need to think about things such as:
- Do you have enough space in your home?
- Are you able to commit the time and energy fostering requires?
- Do you have a stable home environment?
- How would fostering fit around your existing work and family commitments?
- Do you have the patience, resilience and willingness to learn needed to support a parent and child?
- Do you have people around you who could provide a supportive network?
You don’t need to know all the answers straight away. A conversation with a fostering agency can help you understand what’s involved and whether fostering could be suitable for you.
Step 2: Choose a fostering agency
There are many fostering agencies across the UK, so it’s worth taking some time to understand what each one offers.
Look at:
- The types of fostering placements they specialise in
- The training they provide
- The level of support available
- How often you’ll have contact with your supervising social worker
- Their approach to matching foster carers with placements
- What their existing foster carers say about their experience
For prospective parent and child foster carers, choosing a specialist agency can be particularly important because these placements have their own unique challenges and requirements.
At Rees, our focus is specifically on parent and child fostering, so our training, support and expertise are centred around this type of placement.
Step 3: Make an initial enquiry
This is usually a straightforward conversation with a member of the fostering team. They’ll explain more about fostering, ask you some questions about your circumstances and answer anything you’re unsure about.
There’s no expectation that you’ll commit to fostering immediately. In fact, asking questions is encouraged!
You might want to ask about the assessment process, training, financial support, the types of placements available or what happens if you find fostering isn’t right for you.
Step 4: A home visit
Before starting the formal application process, the fostering agency will arrange a visit to your home. This is an opportunity to meet you and your family, see your home environment and talk through what parent and child fostering involves.
There’s no pressure or obligation – just a chance to discuss your circumstances, answer any questions and help you understand the next steps.
Step 5: Start your foster carer application
If, after your home visit, you decide you’d like to continue, you’ll move into the formal foster carer application process.
You’ll provide information about yourself, your household and your circumstances. This allows the fostering agency to begin building a picture of you and your suitability to foster.
You’ll also need to provide information and consent for the necessary checks to take place.
Don’t worry if the paperwork feels daunting. Your fostering agency should guide you through what’s required and explain anything you’re unsure about.
Step 6: Complete the required checks
Safeguarding is at the heart of fostering, so a number of checks are carried out as part of the process.
These can include:
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
- Medical checks
- References
- Local authority checks
- Household and financial information
- Checks relating to other members of your household
The exact checks required will depend on your circumstances but it’s important to be open and honest throughout the process. Having something in your past doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t foster, so it’s best to discuss any concerns with your fostering agency rather than assuming you won’t qualify.
Step 7: Take part in the fostering assessment process
One of the most important parts of becoming a foster carer is the fostering assessment process.
A social worker will work with you to understand your background, experiences and motivations. This isn’t simply about deciding whether you’re a ‘good person’. The assessment is an opportunity to explore whether fostering is right for you and whether you can meet the needs of the children or families you may care for.
You’ll have conversations about your own experiences and how these might influence the way you care for someone else. It can feel quite personal at times, but the purpose is to understand you properly and make sure you have the right support in place.
You can find more information on the application process in our blog: What the fostering assessment process is really like.
Step 8: Complete your fostering training
Training is an important part of preparing to become a foster carer.
You’ll learn about topics such as safeguarding, trauma, attachment, child development, behaviour and the impact that early experiences can have on children and families.
For parent and child fostering, there will also be specific learning around supporting a parent to develop their parenting skills while ensuring the baby’s needs remain at the centre of the placement.
Step 9: Prepare your home
Your home will also form part of the assessment.
This isn’t about having a perfect house. What matters is that your home is safe, suitable and able to provide the appropriate space for the placement you’re being considered for.
Your assessing social worker will talk to you about any changes or preparations that may be needed. This can include things such as sleeping arrangements, safety measures and creating an appropriate environment for the child or parent and baby.
Step 10: Go to the fostering panel
Once your assessment is complete, your social worker will prepare a report about your suitability to foster.
This is presented to a fostering panel, which considers the information gathered throughout your assessment. You will have the opportunity to attend the panel meeting and answer questions.
The panel will then make a recommendation about whether you are suitable to foster and, if so, what type of fostering you may be approved for.
Step 11: Start your fostering journey
Once you’re approved, you’re officially a foster carer!
But that doesn’t mean you’re suddenly expected to know everything. Your fostering agency should continue to provide training, supervision and support. You’ll work with your supervising social worker and the wider professional network around each placement.
Thinking about becoming a foster carer?
If you’ve been researching how to become a foster carer, the best place to start is with a conversation.
At Rees Parent and Child Fostering, we’re happy to answer your questions, explain the process and talk through your circumstances with you – without pressure or obligation.
Get in touch with Rees Parent and Child Fostering to find out more about becoming a foster carer.