Becoming a foster carer
If you’re thinking you’d like to become a foster carer in Staffordshire with Foster for Staffordshire, we couldn’t be happier! Foster carers make a huge difference to young lives, and foster carers find it very rewarding for both themselves and their families.
At this stage, we want to make sure you have all the information and support you need to help inform your decision about becoming a foster carer. If you go ahead and become a foster carer, it’s an important, life-changing decision that will affect your family and friends, as well as yourself.
Let’s start with an overview of the different stages of the different stages of the process to become a foster parent.
Fostering research
Research all about fostering, reading as many articles online as you can find and ensure that you believe it’s a journey you’d like to take.
A great place to check out is our frequently asked questions page, where we’ve put together a list of the questions we usually get asked to help you as much as possible.
Get in touch with Foster for Staffordshire
Get in touch with our fostering team by completing our online submission form, and a member of our team will give you a call for a chat and invite you to attend the next information meeting.
Fostering information meeting
In the next step, you will attend the information meeting and return the detailed information form sent to you.
One of our social workers will contact you and arrange to come and meet you in your own home to answer your questions and make sure fostering is for you.
If the visit goes well and both the social worker and you agree that you wish to progress, you will be invited to attend our ‘Introduction to Fostering for Staffordshire’ course.
If you decide you’d like to continue by the end of the course, you will sign the ‘intention to proceed’ form.
Fostering assessment
You will be allocated your assessing social worker who will visit you at home to carry out your assessment and you will commence the Foundations to Fostering training course with other potential foster carers, so you are fully prepared to meet the needs of different children.
During the assessment, your social worker will also contact your referees and carry out several checks, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check.
Please note that during the full assessment checks for financial stability are undertaken.
How long does a fostering assessment take?
This assessment is carried out to ensure you are ready to look after a child or children who have experienced difficulties in their lives. This process can take around 20 weeks. But please remember, we will support you every step of the way. If you are already fostering we can assess you quicker.
Foster panel
You will be invited to attend a foster panel with your social worker. At this panel your assessment will be discussed in further detail. The fostering panel meets regularly to approve foster carers.
Become a foster carer
Once you have been approved, it won’t be long before your first foster child arrives at your home and you will officially become a foster carer!
During the process, it will be discussed about what type of fostering you’d be suited to, but the child or young person who comes to live with you depends on who needs your support.
You will receive ongoing training and support, as you help children to grow up and develop at an important time in their lives.
If you’d like to become a foster carer, get in touch with our team and start your fostering journey today.