What eligibility checks are made during fostering assessment Stage 1?

Fostering assessment Stage 1 is the initial suitability screening stage. The fostering service gathers evidence about you, your household and your circumstances, then decides whether there is enough information for you to move forward to the more detailed Stage 2 assessment.

The checks are designed to identify legal, safeguarding or practical issues at an early point. They are not intended to assess whether you would be a perfect foster carer, and an issue that needs clarification does not automatically mean that your application will end.

• Identity and personal details: The fostering service confirms your identity, address history, household composition and other basic information provided in your application. It may also check whether you have the right status to foster in the UK and whether your circumstances meet the relevant legal requirements.
• Criminal record information: Enhanced DBS checks are normally completed for applicants and relevant adults in the household. The service considers any information disclosed alongside the nature of the offence, how long ago it occurred, the circumstances and evidence of changed behaviour. A criminal record is not treated as an automatic refusal in every case, although offences involving children or serious safeguarding concerns require particularly careful consideration.
• Health information: You will usually be asked to complete a medical assessment or consent to relevant information being obtained from your GP. The purpose is to understand whether your physical and mental health could affect your ability to provide safe, consistent care. A health condition does not necessarily prevent fostering; the assessment considers its impact, management and likely demands of fostering.
• References: Personal referees are asked about your character, relationships, reliability and experience of caring for or working with children. Employment references may also be requested where relevant. The fostering service may speak to referees directly and use their comments as part of the wider assessment rather than relying only on the application form.
• Local authority and safeguarding checks: Checks may identify previous involvement with children’s services, including concerns about children in your care or your own childhood where this is relevant. The service considers the context, outcome and any subsequent changes rather than treating every historic contact as evidence of unsuitability.
• Financial circumstances: The service reviews whether your household is financially stable enough to manage everyday commitments. This is generally about financial viability and the ability to provide a secure home, rather than requiring a particular income or level of wealth. You should disclose significant debts, arrears, insolvency arrangements or other matters that could affect your household.

Information may also be gathered about your household relationships, support network, accommodation and caring responsibilities where these affect basic eligibility or safeguarding. Everyone who lives in, regularly visits or is closely involved with the household may need to be considered, because fostering affects the whole home.

The fostering service should explain what information it needs, obtain the appropriate consent and give you the opportunity to clarify inconsistencies. Checks can take longer if records are incomplete, you have lived in different areas or countries, a referee is difficult to contact, or further medical information is needed.

It is important to answer forms accurately and disclose relevant information at the start. Withholding information can create greater concerns than the underlying matter, particularly if it is discovered later. If you are unsure whether something is relevant, tell your assessing social worker and ask how it should be recorded.

At the end of Stage 1, the fostering service reviews the information and decides whether you can proceed to Stage 2. If it does not consider you suitable to continue, it should explain the decision and the reasons for it. If you progress, the checks already completed become part of the evidence considered alongside the fuller assessment, preparation training and discussions about your ability to meet a child’s needs.