How are personal references used when deciding foster care approval?

Personal references are used as supporting evidence in the fostering assessment. They help the assessor check whether the information you have provided is consistent with the views of people who know you well, and whether there are any matters that need to be explored before a recommendation is made.

The fostering service will normally ask you to suggest suitable referees. Its requirements may vary, but referees are usually people who have known you for a meaningful period and have had enough contact with you to comment honestly on your circumstances. The agency may ask for references from people outside your immediate household and may have specific rules about whether relatives, current or former partners, employers or professionals can act as referees.

References are usually gathered through a written form, a telephone conversation or an interview. An assessor may ask the referee to explain:

• how they know you and how often they see you;
• what they understand about your reasons for fostering;
• how you respond to pressure, disagreement and change;
• how you relate to children and young people;
• how you manage responsibilities and maintain appropriate boundaries;
• how other members of your household may be affected by fostering; and
• whether they are aware of anything that could raise a concern about your suitability to foster.

The referee does not need to give an unrealistically positive account. A useful reference is one that is specific, balanced and based on direct experience. Assessors may be more interested in whether the referee can give clear examples than in general descriptions such as “kind” or “dependable”. For example, a referee might describe how you supported someone through a difficult period, dealt with a disagreement or adapted when circumstances changed.

References are compared with the rest of the assessment rather than considered in isolation. If a referee’s comments support what you have said, this can help the assessor understand your circumstances. If the reference raises a new issue, differs from your account or identifies a concern, the assessor should normally discuss it with you and establish the relevant facts. A concern does not automatically mean that approval will be refused, but unexplained inconsistencies can require further assessment.

The assessor may also consider whether a referee has enough knowledge to provide a meaningful view. Someone who has had little contact with you may be unable to answer the questions properly. Conversely, a person who knows you very closely may offer valuable insight but may also be viewed as less independent, depending on the agency’s requirements. Choosing referees should therefore be based on honesty, knowledge and suitability, not simply on selecting people who are likely to praise you.

Personal references are different from the formal checks carried out as part of approval. They do not replace identity checks, criminal record checks, health information, household checks or enquiries about previous involvement with children’s services. Instead, they add context to those checks and to the interviews, training and written assessment.

If you are applying with a partner, the agency may ask referees to comment on your relationship as well as on each applicant individually. This can include how you make decisions together, manage differences and share responsibilities. Where children or other adults live in the household, the assessor may also explore how fostering could affect them and what support is available.

You should ask potential referees for permission before giving their details to the fostering service. Explain that they may be contacted directly and that the process is part of a formal assessment. Give them accurate information about the type of fostering you are considering, while making clear that they must provide their own honest views. It is sensible to tell the agency if a suitable referee is unavailable or if a proposed referee has a connection that could affect their objectivity.

References may be included in, or summarised within, the assessment report considered by the agency’s decision-maker. The way information is recorded and shared can depend on the agency’s procedures and data protection requirements, so ask your assessing social worker how references will be handled. You should also raise any concern that a referee may provide inaccurate information or may be difficult to contact.

The final decision is based on the complete evidence gathered during the assessment. Strong references can support your application, but they cannot compensate for an unresolved safeguarding concern or replace other approval requirements. Likewise, a less favourable comment should be examined in context, alongside your response and the evidence from the rest of the assessment.