How Long Does it Take to Become a Foster Carer?

• It roughly takes between 3 and 5 months to become an approved foster parent with Family Fostering Partners.
• Our core focus will always be the children and young people under our care, that’s why our assessment process is thorough and takes some time!
• Our dedicated link workers will be on hand to guide you through every step of the process from initial enquiry through to your first placement, and beyond.

Choosing to foster is not an overnight decision. For some prospective foster parents, fostering is something they’ve always felt they wanted to do and they may have had it in the back of their minds for a long time. For others, the possibility of fostering is a new idea they want to pursue based on a desire to give back to the community. Whatever your reason for choosing to foster, we want to make sure that you are certain of your decision and are prepared for what the role entails.

First and foremost, our responsibility is to safeguard children and young people who fall under our care. That’s why we ensure that prospective foster parents and their families meet essential requirements and are suitable for the role. You can find out more about the necessary criteria for fostering as well as desirable personality traits by viewing our ‘who can foster’ page. Understandably, the process can take some time and that’s why the full journey to approval can take up to 5 months. The process is thorough and intended to ensure that not only will the children be safe and cared for, but that you and your family will be happy in the role!

However, it is important not to let fears about the fostering process discourage you from registering your interest. It may seem daunting, but everyone at Family Fostering Partners will be here to help you, answer your questions and reassure you. We want you to become a part of the team and will support you in whatever way we can. Your link worker will also be on hand throughout the entire assessment process should you have any worries or concerns.

The main steps to becoming a foster carer include:

• Initial Enquiry
• Home Visit
• The Assessment Process
• ‘Skills to Foster’ Training
• Fostering Panel

You can find out more detail about each stage here. To summarise, following your initial inquiry, a member of the team will visit your home to provide you with more detailed information. Should you both wish to proceed, you will begin the assessment process. Your Supervising Social Worker will carry out various checks and collect more detailed information about you and your family. This information is compiled into a Form F document that is presented to the fostering panel. The panel will then make a recommendation based on your suitability to the Agency Decision Maker, they will have the final say in whether you are approved as a foster parent.

Once approved, you will be prepared for your first arrival! Discussions will already have taken place regarding which type of placement will be most suited to your skills and depending on the demand, you may take on a child straight away or have to wait a while for a child to arrive. We always endeavour to place young people with foster parents that are a good match and will suit their skill set. Plus, additional training and support are always available for foster parents who wish to broaden their fostering abilities.

To register your interest and begin your journey to become a foster parent, get in contact today. All it takes is one phone call, email or contact form submission to start your new adventure. Call 03300 948816, email info@familyfosteringpartners.co.uk or submit the contact form below!