The fostering process
It usually takes around 6-9 months to become an approved foster carer. Learn about each step in the fostering journey and how we'll provide support that is truly shaped around you and your life.
From your initial contact with us, the process to become a foster carer can take 6-9 months depending on your individual circumstances.
Our aim is to assess everyone within a 4-6 month time frame.
We typically operate a three-step process following your initial enquiry as below:
Once you enquire, we’ll give you a quick phone call.
We’ll ask you a number of questions about your circumstances and how fostering might work for you. This is an informal chat that will hopefully give you a better idea about whether fostering is right for you. Don’t be nervous, you don’t need to be perfect, and we certainly don’t expect you to be, you just need to be you. This part in the process is the perfect time to ask us any questions you have and get to know us a bit better too.
If you wish to start your fostering journey, we’ll allocate you a dedicated social worker who will take you through the three-step process.
Step 1- The initial visit
This is either a virtual meeting or a social worker will come to visit your home and lasts approximately two hours. This helps us get to know you and your family better so that we know who you are, what your life looks like and how a young person could be themselves in your home. We’ll have a more in-depth chat about your circumstances, your family, any experience you have that is relevant to fostering and the reasons you’re keen to become a foster carer. We’ll talk about your understanding of fostering and the needs of children in care. It’s also an opportunity for you to explore any further questions relating to the fostering journey and in particular fostering with Action for Children Fostering.
This is a mandatory course within the fostering process but the time you take the course will depend on where you live and course availability. Skills to Foster is a three-day training course and is currently delivered either in-person or online. It covers the essentials, helps you prepare for fostering and raises questions that we’ll talk about during the assessment.
It'll give you a better understanding of what your role as a foster carer will be, the experiences and needs of children in care and the behaviours you may be required to manage. It will also cover the teams and other professionals you'll work with around the young person and the day-to-day skills that all carers need.
Step 2 - Application form
Once everyone is happy to continue onto the next step, we’ll send you an application form to complete and send back to us. It will ask you to provide personal information and further information about your circumstances. Once we receive the application form back, we can start the assessment process. You can call us if there’s anything on the form you’re not sure about; we’re here to help you!
Step 3 - The assessment
The assessment involves standard checks including a police DBS in England and Wales (Disclosure and Barring Service), PVG in Scotland (Protecting Vulnerable Groups), and an AccessNI in Northern Ireland. You will also need to have a medical. Action for Children Fostering will pay for the cost of your medical which you will arrange through your own GP. We’ll also need references from people who have known you for at least three years. If all the checks are approved we‘ll move on to the next stage.
This involves home visits to you and your family, which will include gathering relevant information on your background, experience, family life, and relationships. The assessment is also there for us to learn how best to provide you with the individual support that you may need as a foster carer.
“From enquiry to approval our process helps ensure a positive fostering experience for everyone.”
Action for Children Fostering Social Worker
Our trained social workers will visit your home and take you through the whole fostering process.
All the information gathered throughout the assessment process will be put together in a report called a Form F. Once your Form F is complete it'll be shown and talked through with an independent fostering panel, who are usually from the health and social care sector. You and your social worker attend the panel and everyone is given the opportunity to ask questions.
After panel, we’ll ask for approval from our agency decision-maker.
We’ll aim to pair you and a child as soon as your assessment is approved.
Chat with your local team
We have offices across the UK in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Contact someone local to you by text, WhatsApp, email or phone. Whatever works best for you.
Your local team