Fostering process

• The process from initial enquiry to approved carer usually takes around 3 to 5 months. 
• We are there with you throughout the whole process to offer advice, guidance and support. 
• All your questions will be answered and so there is no need to worry – we can take care of everything!  

We know from experience that making the decision to apply to become a foster parent doesn’t happen overnight. We appreciate that you need time to think about it and to consider the effect it will have on you and your family. You can take as much time as you need to make the right decision. We will never rush or pressure you, but when you do make that decision to foster with us, we promise you will be fully supported throughout the process.

Depending on your circumstances, the process can take between 3 and 5 months. During this time, we will get to know you and your family, and help you think about the sort of young person who would fit in well with your circumstances, skills and experience. We will provide you with all the information you need to prepare for your new role and to understand what fostering means for your family.

There are 6 steps to becoming a carer with Family Fostering Partners.

Enquiry/initial information

You can register your interest in becoming a foster parent with Family Fostering Partners by calling us today on 03300 948816. We will talk to you about fostering and answer any immediate questions you may have. This call will help you decide whether you would like to move through to the next stage.

Initial home visit

One of our link workers will arrange to visit your home to share more detailed information about fostering and about Family Fostering Partners. We will explain how we work and what we do to support our foster parents.

If following our visit, both parties decide to proceed, then we will invite you to complete an application form. Once we have received this form, the assessment process begins and you will be allocated an assessor to commence our work together.

Fostering Assessment

A link worker from Family Fostering Partners will visit your home over a period of between 8 to 10 weeks to collect information about you and your family, and to learn about any skills and experience you have which will help you with fostering. This information will be collated into a report called a Form F.

Skills to Foster Training

During the course of your Fostering Assessment, you will be invited to attend a three-day Skills to Foster Course. Attendance at this course is mandatory because it will provide you with important additional learning about fostering and the foster parent task. If you haven’t been to training events before, or are worried about learning in a group environment, we will do our best to put your mind at rest. The training is fun and interactive, and we never put anyone on the spot or make them feel uncomfortable.

Fostering Panel

Once your assessment is completed and your Form F written, the report will be presented to the Family Fostering Partners Foster Panel – a group of people whose role is to ensure that your preparation has been thorough and comprehensive. You will be invited to attend the Fostering Panel, accompanied by your Supervising Social Worker from the agency. The panel will make a recommendation on your suitability to our Agency Decision Maker, who will make the final decision on whether you can be approved as a foster carer.

You become an approved foster parent

You will begin your career as a foster carer for Family Fostering Partners, and we will use the information gained during your assessment to match your skills and experience with a child/young person who needs a foster placement.