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Your fostering journey

Step One - You’ve read about fostering, looked at the frequently asked questions  and you’re interested in helping make a difference to a child’s life.  You’ve contacted us to find out more via our webpage or by calling us on 01952 387387.

Step Two - Our fostering team will then get in touch, chat to you over the phone, answering any questions you may have and taking some basic details. If we both think that fostering is right for you, we will arrange to visit you at your home at a time that is convenient for you which provides us with a great opportunity to get to know each other.

Step Three – One of our team comes to meet you in your own home to answer your questions and make sure fostering is for you. If the visit goes well and the Social Worker and you agree you wish to progress, you will be invited to complete an application form to start your fostering journey. You will also be invited to attend our Skills to Foster Training to prepare you for fostering.

Step Four - You will be allocated your assessing social worker who will visit you at home to carry out your assessment. During the assessment they will also contact your referees and carry out a number of checks, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. This assessment is carried out to ensure you are ready to look after a child or children who have experienced difficulties in their lives. We aim for the assessment process to take 12 weeks from allocation of the assessor to the assessment being submitted for quality assurance.

Step Five - You will be invited to attend a 'foster panel' with your Social Worker. At this panel your assessment will be discussed in further detail. The fostering panel meets regularly to make recommendations to approve foster carers. Once a recommendation has been made our Agency Decision Maker will make a decision on your approval. Once this has happened you are approved, it won't be long before your first foster child arrives at your home!

Step Six - You'll receive ongoing training and support, as you help children to grow up and develop at an important time in their lives.


It can take between four to twelve months to complete the process of becoming a foster carer, but we will help and guide you along the way and we are always available to answer your questions.

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