The five steps
Fostering is a hugely valuable thing to do. What could be more important than making a positive difference to the lives of the next generation?
That said, fostering will also change YOUR life. It will require commitment, resilience, consistent support and a good sense of humour. Equally it will require careful and reflective consideration.
So please, get in touch! Our recruitment co-ordinator Mia will be more than happy to talk you through the process and answer any questions you may have – even if, at this stage, you are simply curious and looking to find out if Fostering may be a good fit for you – we understand that research is important and registering your interest does not equal an obligation to apply!
We do not believe in a “hard sell” with endless calls and texts – which is why you are able to select how you would like to be contacted in our drop-down menu on our enquiry form.
When you are ready, you have done your research and asked Mia all the questions you can think of – here is what to expect next:
This is a short form that we can complete over the phone. It provides us with some basic information about you, your family, your home and your lifestyle and will give us a good indication as to whether Fostering would be a good fit for you.
If you are applying as a couple, there is no need for both of you to join the call (although you would both be welcome of course!) This is a “getting to know you” step for us, and a “learning” step for you. The form can be completed with no obligation to go any further.
Following the initial enquiry, Mia will come and visit you in your home. At this stage, Mia will need to meet both of you if applying as a couple. The purpose of this visit is to give us further opportunity to get to know you and for you to get to know us. We will chat in more detail than we did at initial enquiry stage, and this is another great opportunity for you to ask as many questions as you need to.
We will also need to have a little look around your home to ensure your spare bedroom is suitable and to check for any health and safety concerns. Again, this is a “learning” step for you and comes with no pressure to go any further.
Preparation to Foster is a two-day course that we hold at our office in East Bergholt for anyone considering becoming a Foster Carer. You will be invited to attend once your home visit is complete. The course is designed to give potential Foster Carers a really good insight into the realities of Fostering. We work through real life case studies, explore attachment styles, discuss the impact of neglect and abuse on behaviour and development and much more. The training will provide an opportunity to meet one of our Foster Carers and have a Q&A session with them as well as meet more of the team.
This training ensure you are equipped to make an informed decision about whether Fostering is right for you and that you embark on this journey with eyes wide open!
So, the “research” steps are now complete, and you have decided that you would like to apply to become a Foster carer. We will email our application form over to you and you will need to fill this out with as much detail as you can provide before returning it to us. Our Fostering Administrator Louise will then be in touch to start the assessment process.
Once we have received your application, we can then start the assessment process. You will be assigned an assessing social worker who will work with you to thoroughly assess suitability. They will complete 8-10 visits to your home and get to know you and your family very well, exploring your lives from childhood to now.
During this stage, you will be assigned some training to complete online.
In the background, we will complete all the checks and references that would have been explained to you at home visit.
The assessment process will take between four – six months.
At the end of assessment you will be invited to attend “Panel” where you will meet a friendly group with your assessor, who will either approve or not approve you as a Foster Carer (but please don’t worry, your assessor would not send you to panel if they felt there was any concern with your approval!)
Would you like to find out more?
Not ready for a call? No problem! Our recruitment co-ordinator Mia will reach out via email or text initially to find out how she can help you with your fostering enquiry, or simply just email you our information pack if this is what you choose.
