What happens during a foster care agency registration application?

A foster care agency registration application is usually an application by an individual, couple or family to become approved as a foster carer with a fostering service. It is not the same as a fostering agency registering with Ofsted. The process tests whether your household can provide safe, stable and suitable care, and gives you opportunities to understand the responsibilities before a final approval decision is made.

1. Establishing whether fostering is suitable for your household

The process begins by discussing your circumstances and the type of fostering you may be able to offer. This normally includes your home, family relationships, employment, health, experience of caring for children, reasons for fostering and the ages or needs of children you would consider caring for.

The agency will also explain practical matters such as bedroom requirements, safer caring, working with professionals, contact with birth families, recording information and the effect fostering may have on everyone in your household. All adults in the home should understand the application and agree to take part where appropriate.

2. Completing the application and providing information

You will be asked for personal and household information so the fostering service can make the required enquiries. This may include details of your identity, address history, household members, employment, finances, relationships, previous experience with children and any previous applications to foster or adopt.

Being open is important. Previous difficulties, health conditions, convictions or changes in personal circumstances do not automatically prevent approval, but the agency needs accurate information to assess their relevance and how any risks could be managed. Delays can occur if forms are incomplete or if information has to be obtained from several organisations.

3. Checks and references

The agency arranges statutory and safeguarding checks. These commonly include Disclosure and Barring Service checks, local authority checks and a medical assessment completed by your GP or another appropriate health professional. Checks may also be required for other adults in the household, depending on their age and involvement in family life.

References are usually requested from people who know you well, such as employers, personal referees and, where relevant, former partners or adult children. The agency considers information about criminal convictions, previous involvement with children’s services, health, relationships and financial stability in context. The purpose is not to expect a perfect history; it is to identify any matters that could affect children’s safety or your ability to foster.

4. The home assessment

A qualified social worker will normally visit your home on more than one occasion. The assessment looks at the physical environment and at how your household functions. Topics may include:

• where a fostered child would sleep and how privacy would be protected;
• home safety, pets, transport and arrangements for supervising children;
• your understanding of safeguarding, boundaries and confidentiality;
• how you would manage behaviour, missing episodes, allegations or emergencies;
• your ability to work with social workers, schools, health professionals and birth families;
• how fostering could affect existing children and other household members; and
• your resilience, support network and capacity to respond to a child’s individual needs.

Visits are also an opportunity to identify changes or additional support that could make the home suitable. The assessment is concerned with the whole household rather than simply the person named on the application.

5. Preparation training

Applicants usually complete preparation training before the assessment is presented for approval. Training covers subjects such as attachment, trauma, child development, safeguarding, safer caring, behaviour, identity, equality, contact and working with the professional network.

Training is not only an introduction to fostering. It helps applicants consider whether their expectations are realistic and whether they can respond to children who may have experienced neglect, abuse, separation or several previous moves. Participation and engagement are considered as part of the overall assessment.

6. The assessment report

The assessing social worker brings together the information from interviews, home visits, checks, references and training. This is usually set out in a comprehensive assessment report, often referred to as a Form F assessment in England.

The report considers your strengths, experience, household circumstances, possible risks and the support or safeguards that may be needed. It also recommends the type, age range and number of children you may be suitable to foster. You should have an opportunity to check the factual accuracy of the report and raise questions before it goes to the fostering panel.

7. Fostering panel consideration

A fostering panel reviews the assessment and makes a recommendation about approval. Panel members bring different professional and personal experience, and may include social care professionals and people with experience of fostering. You may be invited to attend so that panel members can clarify information and discuss your application directly.

The panel is not the body that legally approves you. It makes a recommendation to the fostering service’s agency decision-maker. The decision-maker considers the report, panel recommendation and any relevant information before reaching the formal decision.

8. Possible outcomes

The agency decision-maker may approve you, defer the decision while further information is obtained, or decide not to approve you. Approval will specify matters such as the number and age range of children you may foster, and may include other terms relevant to your household.

If the proposed decision is not to approve, you should be told about the agency’s representations or review procedure and any applicable route to independent consideration. The precise process depends on the circumstances and the fostering regulations that apply, so read the agency’s written information carefully and obtain advice if you are unsure of your rights.

9. What happens after approval

Approval is followed by practical arrangements before a placement is made. You normally enter into a foster carer agreement, receive information about agency procedures and complete any further learning identified for your role. The fostering service should explain who will supervise you, how to contact the team, how concerns are reported and how records must be kept.

Approval does not mean that every placement will be suitable. Each proposed placement should be considered against the child’s needs, your approval terms, the household’s capacity and the support available. Once fostering, you continue to receive supervision, training and reviews, and your approval is reconsidered through regular review processes.

How long does an application take?

There is no single timescale that applies to every application. The process depends on the completeness of the information, the availability of referees and professionals, the complexity of the assessment and the dates of panel meetings. Your assessing social worker should explain the expected stages, tell you what information is outstanding and discuss any changes that could affect the application.

Questions to ask before applying

• What documents and checks will be required from each household member?
• How will the agency assess our home, finances, health and support network?
• What training is provided before approval and what learning follows it?
• How are the assessment report and panel process explained to applicants?
• What are the agency’s procedures if approval is deferred or refused?
• What supervision, practical guidance, allowances and support are provided after approval?

Understanding these stages allows you to make an informed decision about applying and gives you a clear basis for discussing your circumstances with the fostering service.