What checks are carried out before foster carer approval?

Pre-approval checks are part of a formal fostering assessment designed to establish whether an applicant, their household and their home can provide safe, consistent care. The information is considered as a whole rather than through one check in isolation, and any concerns are explored openly before a recommendation is made.

Applicants are expected to provide accurate information and give consent for the relevant enquiries. The assessment usually looks at the following areas:

• Identity and personal history: documents are used to confirm identity, address history and details of people living in the household. Previous names, time spent living abroad and significant changes in circumstances may also need to be recorded.
• Criminal record information: enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks help identify convictions, cautions, reprimands, warnings or other information that may be relevant to safeguarding. A criminal record does not automatically prevent someone from fostering. Its relevance, seriousness, age, pattern and the applicant’s openness about it are considered carefully.
• Safeguarding and local authority enquiries: enquiries may be made with relevant local authorities and other agencies to identify previous involvement with children’s services, child protection concerns, allegations or other information connected with a child’s welfare. Applicants should disclose any matter they believe could be relevant, even if they are unsure whether it will appear on a formal check.
• Health assessment: a medical adviser considers whether the applicant’s physical and mental health would allow them to meet the needs of a foster child. This is not a requirement to have perfect health. The focus is on practical impact, stability, treatment, support needs and any adjustments that may be appropriate.
• References and employment information: referees are asked about the applicant’s reliability, relationships, attitude to children and ability to manage responsibility. An employer reference may be required, particularly where the applicant works with children. Previous partners or other people with meaningful knowledge of the applicant may also be approached where this is relevant.
• Household relationships: the assessing social worker speaks with the adults and children in the household, taking account of their views, understanding and readiness for fostering. The assessment considers how fostering could affect existing relationships, privacy, routines and family life.
• Home and practical arrangements: the home is considered for suitability, privacy, sleeping arrangements, safety and space. The assessment also explores transport, school arrangements, work patterns, childcare and how the household would respond to everyday fostering responsibilities.
• Financial circumstances: the assessment considers whether the household is financially stable and able to manage its commitments. Foster carers should not need to rely on fostering payments to resolve existing financial difficulties, and the household’s budget and employment plans may therefore be discussed.

Checks can also extend to people who have a significant involvement in the household, such as regular visitors, frequent carers or adults who may have unsupervised contact with a foster child. The exact enquiries depend on the household and the type of fostering being considered.

Applicants should be open about previous convictions, complaints, safeguarding concerns, health conditions, relationship changes and any other matter that could affect fostering. Withholding information can raise a greater concern than the original issue because fostering depends on honesty and safe decision-making. If information is unclear or raises questions, the assessing social worker should explain what it means and give the applicant an opportunity to provide context and supporting evidence.

The completed assessment normally includes the information gathered from these checks, the applicant’s experience and preparation, household members’ views, and an analysis of strengths, risks and support needs. Applicants should have the opportunity to check factual details and comment on the assessment before it is considered by the fostering panel.

The fostering panel reviews the evidence and makes a recommendation about whether the applicant is suitable, and if so, what type of fostering approval may be appropriate. The agency decision-maker then makes the formal approval decision. Approval may include terms describing the number, age range or needs of the children who can be placed, based on the assessment and the household’s capacity.

Not every concern leads to refusal. Decision-makers consider the full circumstances, including any steps taken to address difficulties, the consistency of the information provided, and the safeguards that could be put in place. Applicants should ask the assessing team to explain any check they do not understand and tell them promptly about changes in their household or circumstances during the assessment.