What documents do I need for a foster care application?

A fostering application usually involves more than the initial form. You may also need documents about your household, health, home, driving arrangements, immigration status and previous experience, so the fostering service can complete the required checks and assess whether fostering is suitable for your circumstances.

Documents and information commonly requested include:

• Household details: information about everyone living in your home, including adults, children and any regular visitors. Adult household members may need to complete their own consent forms and checks.
• Health information: a health declaration and consent for a medical assessment. Your GP or another registered medical professional may be asked to provide a report about your ability to foster. You may need to explain any ongoing treatment, medication or significant medical history accurately.
• References: names and contact details for personal referees who know you well. A fostering service may ask for references from people who can comment on your reliability, relationships and ability to care for children. Previous partners, employers or other people connected with your history may also be relevant in some circumstances.
• Home and tenancy information: a tenancy agreement, mortgage or ownership evidence, or written permission from a landlord where applicable. If you live in rented accommodation, the service may need to confirm that fostering is permitted. Documents relating to household safety, such as gas, electrical or fire-safety records, may be requested as part of the home assessment.
• Driving and vehicle records: if you expect to transport a child, you may need to provide relevant driving and vehicle information, such as insurance, MOT and driving-licence details. The exact requirements depend on your circumstances and the fostering service’s procedures.
• Immigration or residency documents: if you are not a British or Irish citizen, you may need to show evidence of your immigration status and permission to live in the UK. The service will explain which documents are acceptable for your situation.
• Previous care or fostering information: details of any earlier fostering, adoption, childcare, social-care or other regulated-care applications. If you have previously fostered or adopted, the service may need to contact the relevant organisation and review earlier assessments or records.

You may also be asked to complete declarations about household members, pets, relationships, employment arrangements and any circumstances that could affect a child’s safety or wellbeing. These are often forms rather than supporting documents, but they are an important part of the assessment and should be completed fully and honestly.

Do documents need to be originals? The fostering service will tell you whether it needs to see an original, a certified copy or a clear scan. Do not send original documents by post unless specifically instructed. At an appointment, you may be asked to show the original so the details can be checked and copied securely.

What if a document is missing or your details have changed? Tell the fostering service rather than delaying or guessing. For example, names may differ following marriage or another legal change, documents may have been lost, or records from another country may take longer to obtain. The service can explain whether an alternative record, an official replacement or additional evidence is needed. If a document is not in English, a certified translation may be required.

Keep a simple record of what you have supplied and retain copies for your own files. Make sure scans are readable and that forms are signed where required. Personal records should be sent only through the secure method provided by the fostering service, because application documents contain sensitive information about you and other household members.

Document collection normally takes place alongside conversations, references, training and home visits rather than as a single paperwork exercise. Become a Foster Family can explain which records apply to your circumstances and how to prepare them as your application progresses.