How Long Does it Take to Become a Foster Carer?

One of the most asked questions is: how long does it take to become a foster carer? 

Do people see time as a barrier to starting their journey? Do they worry it’ll take too long, or that the process will be too demanding to fit around work and lifestyle?

Another question often asked of us is, what are the stages of becoming a foster carer? Learning more about the duration of application and understanding the steps ahead can make the journey feel less daunting and far more manageable. While every fostering journey is personal, the process typically follows a clear path. 

The Journey to Approval: What to Expect Timewise

It typically takes between three and five months to become an approved foster parent with Family Fostering Partners. Because our focus is always on the children and young people who need care, our assessment process is thorough, and that does take time. But you won’t be on your own. Our dedicated social workers will guide you through every stage, from your initial enquiry to your first placement, and well beyond.

Fostering isn’t an overnight decision. For some people, it’s something they’ve thought about for years, an idea that’s quietly sat in the back of their mind, waiting for the right moment. By the time you reach out to us, you may already have a sense of how long it takes to become a foster carer through your own research or conversations with other agencies.

The most important thing is that you feel confident and ready. Our role is to help you get there, by making sure you’re well-informed, well-prepared, and supported every step of the way. As a fostering agency, our first responsibility is always to the children in our care. That’s why we take the time to ensure every prospective foster parent meets the necessary requirements and is a good fit for the role.

If you’d like to learn more about who can foster, visit our Who Can Foster page for a clear breakdown of the criteria.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Foster Carer with Family Fostering Partners?

The full journey from initial enquiry to approval can take up to five months. The process is thorough for good reason, to make sure the children in our care will be safe, supported, and nurtured, but also to ensure that you and your family feel confident and fulfilled in your role as foster carers.

It’s completely normal to feel unsure at first, but don’t let worries about the process hold you back from registering your interest. While it may seem daunting, you won’t be doing it alone. Everyone at Family Fostering Partners is here to guide you, answer your questions, and offer reassurance at every stage. From your first conversation with us, right through to your final panel and beyond, you’ll have support from people who genuinely care. Your dedicated link worker will also be by your side throughout the assessment, ready to talk through any concerns you may have.

What Are the Stages of Becoming a Foster Parent?

There are 5 stages of becoming a foster parent before your approval. 

1. Enquiry
   This first step is quick and straightforward. From the moment you get in touch, we aim to respond within 24-48 hours. The initial conversation usually lasts around 30–60 minutes, depending on how many questions you have.
2. Initial Home Visit
   Once you’ve had an initial chat, we’ll arrange a home visit, usually within one to two weeks. The visit itself takes about 1-2 hours and helps both you and us decide whether to move forward.
3. Fostering Assessment
   The assessment stage typically takes between 8 to 10 weeks. During this time, your link worker will visit regularly to get to know you, your family, and your home environment, and to build your Form F report.
4. Skills to Foster Training
   This is a three-day course, often delivered across a weekend or spread out over a week. Dates are flexible and arranged to suit your availability as much as possible.
5. Panel & Approval
   After your assessment and training are complete, your report will be submitted to the Fostering Panel. The panel meeting is usually scheduled within 2-3 weeks of completion, and once a decision is made, you’ll be informed shortly afterwards.

Moving forward with Fostering

At Family Fostering Partners, our focus is on people, both the children who need safe, nurturing homes and the foster parents who open their doors to them. From the moment you enquire, we’re here to support you. That includes helping you understand how to become a foster parent, guiding you through the early stages, and standing beside you as you welcome a child into your home.

Fostering isn’t something you do alone. From initial training and assessment to long-term support and guidance, we make sure you feel confident, valued, and well-prepared at every step. Our team will help you understand what the stages of becoming a foster carer involve and make sure you're fully supported throughout.

From your first training session to the ongoing support we provide, our team will be with you at every stage,making sure you feel confident, supported, and ready to make a real difference. Find out more about why you should foster with Family Fostering Partners here.

We hope we've helped answer the questions "What are the stages of becoming a foster carer" and "How long does it take to become a foster carer". If you are interested in starting your journey to fostering, you can register your interest by getting 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 complete the contact form below! You can even head to our Facebook page to ask us a question!

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Fostering Timelines

Is it hard to become a foster carer?

Not necessarily. The process is thorough to make sure fostering is right for both you and the child, but with the right support, it’s very manageable. Our team will guide you every step of the way.

How quickly can you start fostering?

Most people can be approved to foster within 3 to 5 months of their initial enquiry. The exact timeline depends on your availability, the speed of background checks, and how quickly each stage of the assessment is completed. We’ll support you throughout to help things move at a pace that works for you.

What are the steps in the fostering process?

There are five main steps to becoming a foster carer:

1. Enquiry – Get in touch to express your interest.
2. Initial Home Visit – We’ll visit you to chat more about fostering.
3. Fostering Assessment – A social worker will get to know you and your household.
4. Skills to Foster Training – A short course to help you feel prepared.
5. Panel & Approval – Your application is reviewed and, if successful, you’re approved to foster.
   

Each step is there to make sure you feel confident, supported, and ready.