What should I disclose about my criminal record when applying to foster?

You should disclose every conviction, caution, reprimand, warning and pending charge that the fostering application asks about, including matters that are spent. Fostering is an exempt role under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, so the usual protection for spent convictions does not apply in the same way. The information you provide will be considered alongside an enhanced DBS check and other parts of the fostering assessment.

Disclosure normally involves more than ticking a box. You may be asked to provide details such as:

• the offence or alleged offence and the date it occurred;
• the outcome, including the sentence, caution or other disposal;
• whether any restrictions, supervision or other requirements followed;
• the circumstances surrounding the incident; and
• what has changed since then, including evidence of stability, responsibility or rehabilitation where relevant.

Answer each question on the application form carefully and use the wording requested. If a form asks for all convictions or cautions, do not leave out an old or minor matter because you believe it is no longer relevant. If it asks about pending proceedings, disclose those too. If you are unsure whether something falls within the question, explain it to the assessing social worker rather than making your own decision to omit it.

Being open does not mean that every criminal record leads to refusal. The assessment considers the nature of the offence, how long ago it happened, your age and circumstances at the time, the sentence or outcome, any pattern of behaviour and your conduct since then. The assessing team must also consider whether the information could affect a child’s safety or wellbeing and whether it has implications for the wider household.

It is therefore helpful to provide a clear, factual account rather than a brief explanation that leaves important details unclear. You may be asked about the impact of the incident, what you learned from it, and how you would manage any risks in a fostering household. Avoid minimising what happened, blaming others or presenting a different account from the official records. A balanced explanation can help the assessment team understand the information in context.

An enhanced DBS check is an important part of the process, but it is not the only source of information. The fostering service may also complete checks with local authorities and take up references and other enquiries required for the assessment. Information disclosed on your application may be compared with these checks. A mismatch does not necessarily mean that your application will end, but it may need clarification and could raise concerns about accuracy or openness.

If you cannot remember the precise date or outcome of an old matter, say so rather than guessing. Tell the assessing social worker what you do remember and ask what supporting information may help. Relevant paperwork might include court documents, sentencing information, evidence that requirements were completed, or professional references that address your circumstances since the incident. Do not delay disclosure while trying to gather every document: give the information you have and provide further evidence when requested.

You should also mention any current matter that could appear during checks, including a pending charge or ongoing proceedings. The outcome may not yet be known, so the assessment may need to remain open while the facts are established. Do not assume that an allegation, arrest or other police contact can be ignored simply because it did not result in a conviction; explain it if the application or assessing team asks for that information.

Criminal record information about other adults in your household is considered separately. The application should identify who needs to complete checks and what information is required from them. Do not provide incomplete answers on behalf of another person; make sure each relevant adult understands the need to give accurate information.

If the enhanced DBS certificate contains information that is factually wrong, you can raise a dispute through the DBS process. Tell the fostering service that you are challenging the entry and provide any clarification requested. A disagreement about the accuracy of a record is different from choosing not to disclose information that you know about.

The safest approach is to disclose fully, accurately and at the earliest appropriate stage. The fostering team can then assess the circumstances, request clarification and explain what further evidence is needed. A criminal record is considered as part of the whole assessment, while honesty about it is essential to demonstrating that you can work openly with professionals and follow safeguarding expectations.