Fostering Assessment

What role does the fostering assessment have in becoming a foster parent? A fostering assessment is designed to ensure a potential foster parent has the skills, home environment and meets the correct criteria. The assessment is thorough but supportive, helping both the parent and the fostering agency determine if fostering is the right path.

Through a fostering assessment, your designated link worker will be there to support you from start to finish, provide support and answer any questions you might have. 

Why Do Agencies Conduct a Fostering Assessment?

All prospective foster carers go through a fostering assessment to become an approved foster parent with Family Fostering Partners. This is the same for both independent fostering agencies and local authorities. The assessment isn’t just a formality, it’s an important step to ensure you have the right qualities, mindset, and home environment to provide a safe and loving space for a child.

The safety and well-being of children in care is always our top priority. A thorough assessment helps us make sure that every child placed in a foster home will be safe, supported, and able to thrive.

But it’s not just about the children, it’s also about you. Fostering should be a rewarding experience, and the assessment process helps us understand whether fostering is the right fit for you and your family. We want our foster parents to feel confident, supported, and fulfilled in their role because happy, well-supported foster parents create the best possible homes for the children who need them.

 

The Fostering Assessment Process

The fostering assessment process is a crucial step in becoming a foster carer. It’s designed to ensure that you have the right skills, mindset, and home environment to provide a safe and loving space for a child. While it’s thorough, it’s also a supportive journey, helping both you and Family Fostering Partners determine if fostering is the right fit for you.

The process includes a series of home visits from a link worker who will get to know you, your family, and your motivations for fostering. These visits give us a chance to explore your background, lifestyle, and any experience you have with children. We’ll also discuss how you might handle different fostering situations, ensuring you feel prepared for the role.

 

Key Steps in the Assessment

• Home Visits & Discussions – A link worker will visit your home several times to get to know you and understand how fostering would fit into your life.
• Background & Reference Checks – As part of our safeguarding responsibility, we carry out enhanced DBS checks and request personal references.
• Medical Checks – To ensure you’re in good health and able to meet the demands of fostering, a medical assessment is required.
• Skills to Foster Training – You’ll complete a pre-approval training course designed to give you practical insight into fostering and help you prepare for your new role.
• The Form F Report – All of the information gathered is compiled into a detailed report, known as the Form F, which is then reviewed by a fostering panel.

Everyone who lives in your household will need to be included within the fostering assessment, even if they will not be the primary caregiver. This is to ensure that the home environment is completely safe for a child to stay. We also want to make sure that the inclusion of a foster child in your family would fit in with your lifestyle and that any birth children you may have are also happy with the decision. Fostering is a big commitment and everyone should feel comfortable with the prospects!

 

When Will Your Assessment Begin?

Your fostering assessment begins as soon as you submit your application and have an initial conversation with our team. Once we’ve confirmed that you meet the basic criteria to foster, we’ll assign you an assessing link worker who will guide you through the process.

The first step is an initial home visit, where we’ll get to know you, discuss your motivations for fostering, and answer any questions you may have. From there, the full assessment process, including home visits, background checks, and training, typically takes around four to six months. While this may seem like a long process, it ensures that you feel fully prepared and supported before welcoming a child into your home.

 

The Fostering Panel & Approval

Once your assessment is complete, your Form F report is presented to a fostering panel, an independent group of professionals who review your application and make a recommendation. If approved, you’ll officially become a foster carer with Family Fostering Partners and can begin welcoming children into your home.

While the process may seem in-depth, it’s there to make sure you’re fully supported and ready to embark on your fostering journey. We’re with you every step of the way, ensuring you have everything you need to succeed as a foster parent.

 

Fostering Assessment Questions in the UK

Fostering assessment questions in the UK aren’t something to be scared of. During your panel meeting, you’ll be asked a series of questions based on your fostering assessment, personal experiences, and how you would handle different scenarios in fostering.

Common fostering assessment questions may include:

• Why do you want to become a foster carer? – This helps the panel understand your motivations and commitment.
• How would you support a child who has experienced trauma? – The panel wants to see how you would create a safe, nurturing environment.
• What support network do you have in place? – They may ask about friends and family who can offer emotional or practical support.
• How do you handle challenges and stressful situations? – This fostering assessment question helps assess your resilience and ability to manage the ups and downs of fostering.

The panel’s role is not to intimidate but to ensure you feel prepared and supported in your fostering journey. Your assessing link worker will help you get ready for this step, so you know what to expect.

For more details on fostering assessment questions and how to prepare, visit our panel questions and answers page.

 

How to Prepare for Your Fostering Assessment

Preparing for your fostering assessment can help make the process smoother and ensure you feel confident throughout.

Start by understanding what fostering involves and thinking about your motivations. Your home should be safe and welcoming, with a spare room available for a child. A strong support network is also important, as fostering comes with challenges as well as rewards.

As part of the process, you’ll need to complete background checks, including a DBS check, provide references, and undergo a medical assessment. It’s helpful to gather key documents, such as proof of identity and address, in advance. You don’t need formal childcare experience, but reflecting on how you’ve supported children in the past can be useful.

Most importantly, be open and honest throughout. The assessment isn’t about finding ‘perfect’ carers, it’s about ensuring fostering is the right fit for you and your family. Your assessing link worker will guide you every step of the way, helping you feel fully prepared for this rewarding journey.

Do not let any worries about the fostering assessment process stop you from applying to be a carer! From your initial enquiry, clear information will be provided to you and you will be supported the entire time. We are always happy for new foster parents to join the Family Fostering Partners team. Fill out the contact form to get in touch.

 

 

Fostering Assessment Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fostering assessment?

The fostering assessment is a thorough but supportive process that ensures you have the right skills, home environment, and mindset to become a foster carer. It involves home visits from a social worker, background and medical checks, reference checks, and pre-approval training. The assessment helps both you and the fostering agency determine if fostering is the right fit for you.

 

What checks are done for fostering?

Fostering checks include an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, personal and professional reference checks, a medical assessment, and a home safety check. Your lifestyle will also be assessed, as will relationships, and support networks to ensure a safe and stable environment for a child.

 

What questions do they ask at a fostering panel?

At a fostering panel, you’ll be asked questions about your motivations for fostering, how you would support a child who has experienced trauma, your support network, and how you handle challenges. The panel may also ask about your experience with children and how fostering will fit into your family life. These fostering assessment questions help ensure you are fully prepared for the role.

 

How long does a fostering panel take?

A fostering panel meeting typically lasts around an hour, though this can vary depending on the discussion. You’ll be asked a few questions about your assessment, and the panel will then review your application before making a recommendation. Your assessing social worker will be there to support you throughout.

 

Who attends the fostering panel?

The fostering panel includes a chairperson, health or education professionals, independent members with fostering experience, and an agency representative. Your assessing link worker will also be there for support. The panel’s role is to review your assessment fairly and ensure fostering is the right fit for you.