You can take as long as you like deciding to apply to be a foster carer and it is important to find the right time. When you are approved, we as a team will make sure we really know you and your family and will be looking for a child or young person who will match best. There are lots of stages to becoming a carer and the whole process will take between 4 and 6 months.
1. Initial Enquiry
You can enquiry about fostering with us by phone or email. Darren will then ring you for a chat with to ask you a few questions which will help you and us to decide if fostering is the right path for you and your family. We will take this at your speed and ensure that you agree when and how to contact you, giving you control of the process. If you need additional help with language, reading or communication we will organise this for you.
2. Sending a pack
We will email or post out an information pack about fostering for us. We ask you to read these (other languages are available) and then we will arrange to call you again.
3. Visit to your home
After reading our information we will offer you a home visit with one or two of our team. This gives you a further opportunity to ask more questions and help you make up your mind if fostering is right for you and your family at this time.
4. Complete Application Form
If it is decided that fostering is right for you we will give you an application form, by post, email or at our home visit. We would ask you to complete and return this form.
5. Checks and references
When we have received you application form we begin background checks. This includes checks from the Disclosure and Barring Service check (police check), Social Services and other agencies, alongside medical checks, references from friends, family and employers and a home risk assessment. We will ask you to come to our office with identity documents to begin these checks at a time suitable to you.
6. Form F-
We will allocate a social worker who we think will fit your family to carry out an assessment. This involves the social worker visiting your home and working with you on your ‘Form F’ devised by BAAF (British Agency for Adoption and Fostering) and your portfolio to determine whether fostering is right for you and your family. This is a process which you are encouraged to fully participate in. We will keep you updated at every stage.
7. Training
Part of the process to becoming a carer is to attend a short course on fostering. The course is called ‘Skills to Foster’. This course will give you an opportunity to meet other applicants and experienced foster carers who can answer your questions from real experience. There will also be opportunity’s to attend other training workshops that Time Out put on throughout the year, giving you a good chance to learn new skills and gain knowledge before you are approved as a carer.
8. Your welcome pack
Working with us, you will be asked to complete an electronic family welcome pack with information and pictures about you and your family.
9. The Panel
All this information is presented to our independent fostering panel. The independent fostering panel is made up of individuals who offer either personal or professional knowledge of fostering. They make a recommendation about you becoming a carer to the agency. You will be invited to attend the panel and to ask and answer questions.
10. Decision
An ‘agency decision maker’ makes the final decision and will then let you know the outcome. It is usual that the decision maker stays with the recommendation of the panel.
11. Approved Foster Carer
You will receive a letter and an agreement and then you will be able to have suitable looked after person placed in your care. You will be assigned a Time Out Supervising Social Worker who will meet with you regularly to make sure all is going to plan and help you get over any challenges that fostering presents. You may also be allocated a family support worker who can help you or the young person in your care with any difficulties. We expect you to carry out training and maintain this to make sure you are being the best carer you can be. You will continue to receive support and training to help you bring the out the best in the looked after child and give them the chance to fulfil their potential.