Becoming a foster carer is big commitment for both you and those in your household. We will work with you every step of the way to make sure the relationships you build with the children and young people that come into your care will be positive, and long-lasting ones.
This process normally takes between 4 – 6 months from start to finish, but most of our approvals are completed within 5 months.
You contact our Carer Recruitment Team either by phone or online and they gather some key information about you and your circumstances.
Once you have completed your initial enquiry, our Carer Recruitment Officer will contact you to discuss your interest in fostering further and will arrange an initial home visit. You will receive a detailed application form.
Once the initial home visit has taken place and, upon receipt of your completed application form, Safehouses will allocate you one of our qualified social workers to undertake a comprehensive assessment.
During the assessment, you are required to attend a preparation course called ‘Skills to Foster’. This course is focused on preparing you for fostering and will help you make the decision that fostering is the right career for you.
After reading your assessment report, you attend our fostering panel with your social worker and the report is presented to them. The panel is a group of appointed people who will make a recommendation about to your application to become approved as a foster carer and will give reasons for their recommendation.
Once the recommendation has been made we will inform you verbally and in writing to let you know if you have been approved as a foster carer.
Once approved, our Placements Officers start working to carefully match you with a child or young person.
Once a suitable match has been identified, you will be provided with information about the child or young person, if you decide to go ahead then the placement is made.
You will receive comprehensive training and will be fully supported by your own supervising social worker and your local fostering team.
Start your fostering career today, get in touch with us to find out how. We would love to hear from you.
