Steps to becoming a Foster Carer
Becoming a Foster Carer is a big decision and one that you may have been thinking about for a while.
We know that the process can seem a bit daunting, but rest assured, we have a whole team dedicated to guiding you through the process – from helping you work out if being a Foster Carer is right for you and your family, right through to your approval and beyond.
Here’s an overview of each step of the journey to becoming a Foster Carer.
Initial enquiry
The first step is to get in touch with our friendly Fostering Recruitment team for an initial chat. Do this by completing our online enquiry form or by giving us a call on 0330 222 7775.
This provides an opportunity to have an informal conversation where we can find out a little bit more about you and you can ask any questions you might have.
Once we’ve had a chat there are a number of directions you can go
If you want more details, come along to one of our online information sessions where you can meet some of the team and speak to some of our brilliant local Foster Carers
If you’re keen to move forward with fostering we will conduct our own database checks and organise an initial home visit with you
Or, if it’s not the right time, for whatever reason, you can either get back in touch when you’re ready, or go onto our Keep In Touch list to stay informed about all things fostering in West Sussex
We know becoming a Foster Carer is a big decision so whatever you decide there won’t be any pressure from us.
next steps
Home visit
If you do decide to go ahead, the next step is the home visit. This is a chance for you to meet one of the Fostering Recruitment team, so that we can get to know each other better, and give you a more thorough understanding of what to expect with your application to become a Foster Carer. It also enables us to ensure your home is suitable for fostering.
This visit will help both us, and you, to make a decision as to whether to progress to the assessment stage of the process.
if you're eligible
Assessment
Stage 1
If you are eligible and want to start the assessment process, we will initiate Stage 1 checks and references. This will include things like: Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and safeguarding checks, health checks and obtaining employment and personal references. These are necessary to make sure all Foster Carers are safe and suitable to care for vulnerable children. You will be allocated an Assessing Social Worker who will be on hand to guide you through the process.
You will also be booked onto our two-day mandatory Skills to Foster training course, which will help prepare you for your role as a Foster Carer.
Stage 2
Your Assessing Social Worker will then begin a Stage 2 assessment. This involves a series of interviews looking in-depth at a wide range of areas which will explore your suitability and capacity to foster.
During the assessment, your Assessing Social Worker will write a report (known as a Form F assessment) detailing the information gathered and a recommendation regarding your approval, including the age range, type of fostering and number of children.
If at any point during the assessment process we feel it is not appropriate to recommend you for fostering, we will discuss this with you at the earliest opportunity and give our reasons in writing. Similarly, if at any point you no longer wish to continue your application to become a Foster Carer, you can of course withdraw from the process.
Stage 3 - Panel
The final stage is for your report to be submitted to a Fostering Panel. West Sussex’s Fostering Panel is made up of a group of people with lots of different life experiences who have an understanding and interest in fostering and looking after children.
The Panel will meet to discuss your application and you and your Assessing Social Worker will also be invited so that you can answer any questions they may have.
The Panel will then make a recommendation as to whether you should be approved as a Foster Carer. This decision will be ratified by our agency decision maker. Once this has happened, you will be ready to foster your first child!
This whole process typically takes around four to six months to complete, which may be quicker if you are transferring from another fostering agency.
If you have any questions about this process you can always get in touch with us or attend one of our information sessions where we’ll talk you through the whole process.
