Can household members choose whether to take part in a fostering assessment?

There is a difference between choosing how to take part and refusing all involvement. A household member can explain their concerns, preferences and boundaries, but the fostering service must understand how fostering could affect the whole household before it can make a recommendation. A persistent refusal to engage may therefore prevent the assessment from reaching a sound conclusion.

Household members are not all assessed in the same way. The prospective foster carer is the main applicant and completes the formal assessment. Other people living in the home contribute information about the household’s routines, relationships, available space and capacity to accommodate a child or young person. The assessing social worker will consider each person’s age, relationship to the applicant and likely involvement in fostering.

For an adult household member, involvement may include:

• discussing their understanding of fostering and their reasons for supporting or questioning the application;
• talking about how fostering may affect privacy, routines, relationships and shared responsibilities;
• considering household expectations, boundaries and arrangements for managing challenging situations;
• completing relevant consent-based checks or providing information required for safeguarding; and
• taking part in preparation or training where this would help the household understand fostering.

This does not mean that every adult must become a foster carer or take on the same duties as the applicant. Their involvement should be proportionate to their circumstances. For example, a partner who shares the home is likely to have a more substantial role in the assessment than an adult relative who visits occasionally. Someone who regularly stays overnight or provides support may also need to be considered, particularly if they could have contact with a child in placement.

Children and young people in the household should be included in a way that matches their age and understanding. They may be invited to talk about what they think fostering would mean for them, including changes to attention from parents or carers, personal space, belongings, routines and family activities. The purpose is not to make them responsible for the application. Their views help the assessor understand the likely impact and identify support or practical arrangements that may be needed.

A child in the household does not normally make the decision alone, but strong or continuing opposition cannot simply be ignored. The assessing social worker will explore why the child feels that way and whether the concerns can be addressed. In some circumstances, the assessment may need to pause while the family considers whether fostering is appropriate for the household.

Participation should involve an opportunity to speak honestly rather than pressure to give a favourable answer. A household member can say that they are uncertain, ask for further information or raise a specific concern. Useful issues to discuss early include worries about safety, the effect on existing children, cultural or religious considerations, pets, bedrooms, visitors, transport, family contact and how disagreements will be handled.

Information shared during the assessment is used to evaluate fostering suitability and household safety. The social worker should explain what information is needed, why it matters and how relevant concerns will be considered. Household members should ask how sensitive information will be recorded and shared, particularly where a discussion involves personal history or health. Confidentiality cannot be used to withhold information that is important to safeguarding, but concerns should be handled carefully and professionally.

If someone will not take part, the applicant should tell the assessing social worker rather than trying to answer on their behalf. The service can clarify what involvement is necessary and whether an alternative arrangement is possible. However, it cannot treat a household member’s views as irrelevant or complete missing evidence by making assumptions. Where the assessor cannot establish that the household understands and can safely support fostering, the application may not be recommended.

The best approach is to involve everyone early, explain that participation is not the same as taking on the applicant’s role, and allow space for questions before decisions are made. This gives the household a realistic understanding of fostering and helps identify whether further discussion, preparation or support is needed before the assessment proceeds.