How to become a foster carer
Step Three - Assessment (Stage One and Two)
Once we have completed your Initial Enquiry and an Initial Home Visit has been carried out, a decision will be made to progress to Stage One.
Both you and your allocated worker will sign an Assessment Stage One agreement outlining the process involved. During the Assessment Stage One a number of checks, required by the Government under the Fostering Regulations, will be undertaken which includes:
- your Local Authority
- probation
- finance
- employment
- education
In addition to the above we will complete personal references and education checks for your children. You will be expected to undertake a health assessment with your doctor. We will need to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on you, your partner and any members of your household who are over 18 years old.
We will also agree on a timeframe for this work to be undertaken. You will be offered the opportunity to undertake Skills-to-Foster training at this stage.
Upon completion of Assessment Stage One, you will be allocated a social worker to carry out an assessment of your background, life experiences and the qualities you would bring to fostering.
This is called Assessment Stage Two of the fostering process. This will be reviewed halfway through by the principal social worker within the team to check any plans that need to be put into place.