Fostering assessment

• Before you can join Family Fostering Partners as an approved carer, you will need to be assessed.
• This is to make sure that you are a good fit for the role and will provide amazing care for the children we are responsible for.
• Your link worker will be there to support you throughout the application process, from start to finish.

Why the need for an assessment?

All prospective carers need to go through the fostering assessment process to become an approved foster parent with Family Fostering Partners. This is the same process for any independent fostering agency or local authority. The assessment is needed to ensure that you are fit for the role and have the right mentality and requirements to become a fantastic foster parent.

We have a requirement to safeguard children and this is always our top priority when it comes to foster care, a proper assessment ensures that children will be safe, loved and happy in their environment.

We also don’t want any of our foster parents to be unhappy in their role - the assessment is a good way to make sure that you are a good fit and will reap plenty of satisfaction from the role. Happy foster parents make for happy foster children!

When will my assessment begin?

Following on from your initial enquiry, a home visit will take place. One of our link workers will arrange to visit your home and discuss options with you in more detail. We will be able to give you more information about fostering and becoming a foster parent. The point of this initial chat is to confirm that you understand what fostering involves and to ensure your expectations of the role match ours! It also gives you a chance to ask questions in a comfortable and safe setting.

After this informal chat, if both parties are happy with you processing your application, you will be given a form to complete. Once this form is completed, the official assessment process will begin.

What will it involve?

The fostering assessment process can last between 8 to 10 weeks. During this time a link worker from Family Fostering Partners will make regular visits to your home. The assessing social worker will want to discuss certain topics with you as well as carry out home safety checks and other questionnaires. Once all required information has been gathered, this will be collated into a formal report, this is called a Form F. Your Form F report will be presented to the Fostering Panel. Find out more about the Fostering Panel by clicking here.

You may be asked personal questions about your past, family, job and other parts of your life.  We understand that this may feel invasive but your link worker will be on hand to support you throughout the whole process and make sure that you are happy and comfortable.

Certain checks and references will also need to be gathered to support your application, these can include:

• Disclose and Barring Service (DBS) checks
• Medical checks
• Employer references
• Proof of UK citizenship
• Family and personal character references
• Pet safety checks
• Criminal record checks

Everyone who lives in your household will need to be included within the 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 makes 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!

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.