How far back do statutory checks for foster carers look?

Statutory checks do not all look back over the same period. Each check has its own rules, and fostering agencies consider information that may affect a child’s safety, wellbeing or stability, even when it is relatively old. The age of an issue is relevant, but it is not the only factor considered.

DBS checks do not use a simple ten-year cut-off. An enhanced DBS check is assessed under current disclosure rules. Depending on the circumstances, it may disclose convictions and cautions that would not appear on a basic check, although certain protected information is filtered and cannot legally be disclosed. The assessment considers the nature of any disclosed information, how long ago it occurred, your age at the time, whether there is a pattern of behaviour and what has changed since then.

Address and residence history is usually examined over the required historical period. You may be asked to provide details of where you have lived, including dates and full addresses, so that the appropriate local authority and other checks can be made. This can include time spent living elsewhere in the UK and, where relevant, overseas residence. You should not leave gaps between addresses: explain periods such as temporary accommodation, university housing or time spent abroad, and provide documents if requested.

Employment and personal history may also be reviewed over a substantial period. The purpose is to understand your experience, relationships, caring responsibilities and any significant changes that could affect fostering. This can include work with children or vulnerable adults, periods of self-employment, unemployment, caring for relatives or other breaks in employment. The agency may ask for clarification where dates do not match or where a gap has not been explained.

Local authority checks are concerned with relevant safeguarding information rather than a fixed number of years. Checks may be made with authorities connected with places where you have lived, worked or had significant involvement with children. Information about previous involvement with children’s services, allegations, child protection concerns or other relevant matters may need to be considered. Historical information is not automatically treated as current risk, but it cannot be disregarded solely because it is old.

Health information is different again. A fostering medical assessment focuses on your current health and on any past condition, treatment or injury that could be relevant to caring safely and consistently for a child. The medical adviser may need background information to understand your health over time, but this is not the same as applying a standard criminal-record look-back period.

Checks can also cover other adults in the household and people who have a significant role in the home. Previous partners or other household connections may be relevant where their history could affect safeguarding. The agency will explain whose consent is needed and what information must be provided.

If you have lived outside the UK, the relevant authority may request overseas police or safeguarding information where this is available. Countries differ in what they retain and disclose, so there is no universal international look-back period. You may be asked for additional documents or an explanation where an overseas certificate cannot be obtained.

Older information does not automatically prevent approval. The fostering assessment normally considers:

• what happened and how serious it was;
• how long ago it occurred;
• whether there have been repeated concerns;
• your circumstances and level of responsibility at the time;
• what evidence there is of changed circumstances, learning or rehabilitation; and
• how the information relates to the needs and safety of children in foster care.

Accuracy and openness are important. Do not assume that an old conviction, previous address or period overseas is too distant to mention. Omitting information can create more concern than the original matter because assessors need to be able to rely on the history provided. If you cannot remember an exact date, say so and provide the best available information rather than guessing.

Before checks begin, gather previous addresses, employment dates, overseas residence details and relevant documents. Your fostering team can explain which periods apply to your assessment and how to deal with missing records. The final decision is based on the full assessment, not on the number of years since one isolated event.