Becoming a Foster carer

Choice Fostering is committed to the recruitment of Foster Carers who can meet the needs of children and young people through the provision of high-quality care. All prospective Foster Carers who make an enquiry will be subject to rigorous assessment and vetting procedures to ensure that the decision to foster is the right one for both the carer and the child / young person.

​

The assessment includes:

• An Initial Home Visit

• Up to four references

• Previous partner references

• Interviews with applicants and household members

• Attendance to a 2 day training course which will support your decision to foster

• Medical report

• Identity Checks, enhanced DBS

• Health & Safety assessments

• Mandatory training

• Location risk assessments

• Full Form F Assessment

​

The assessment process can take 3-6 months and is dependent on a number of factors, however, every effort will be made to ensure there is no avoidable delay. All information obtained will be collated into an assessment report and held on file in accordance with the Fostering Services Regulations (2011) and Data Protection Act.

​

Choice Fostering Panel

The assessment report is presented to Choice Fostering’s Independent Panel. The Panel is made up of up to seven members who have a variety of expertise and knowledge including Medical, Education, Social Care, and Law. The function of the Panel is to provide an independent, quality assurance role to recommend whether or not the potential Carers presented to them are suitable to
become Foster Carers. The Panel is also responsible for conducting reviews, and recommendations for de-registration of Foster Carers. The final decision for approval is made by the Agency’s Decision Maker who is social work qualified.

 

If Foster Carers are unhappy with the final decision, they will have a right to appeal. This can be made direct to the agency or direct to the Independent Review Mechanism. The final decision will not be confirmed until the appeal process is completed.

Foster Care Agreements are completed following approval and cover a range of contractual information and approval criteria.
All Foster Carers have access to the Fostering Handbook which details:

​

• Standard of care

• Support and Training

• Complaints and Appeals

• Child protection procedures

• Annual Carer review process

• Insurance provision

• Confidentiality procedures

• Behaviour management policy 

​

Find out what the fostering placement process entails.

​

​