How is the outcome of a foster care assessment decided?

The outcome depends on whether the completed assessment shows that you can provide safe, stable and suitable care for a child or young person. Decision-makers consider the whole assessment rather than relying on one interview, one check or one personal characteristic.

The main factors considered include:

• your reasons for wanting to foster and your understanding of the role
• your ability to recognise and respond to a child’s developmental, emotional, health and behavioural needs
• your own experiences, relationships, health and wider circumstances, where these affect your capacity to foster
• the safety and suitability of your home and local environment
• the views of everyone in your household, including children living at home
• the outcome of statutory checks, references, medical information and other enquiries
• your willingness to work with social workers, schools, health professionals, birth families and other members of the professional network
• your participation in preparation training and your ability to reflect on what you have learned
• the practical arrangements available for caring for a child, including support, childcare, transport and safer-care measures

The assessing social worker brings this information together in a written assessment report. The report should explain the evidence gathered, identify strengths and any concerns, describe how concerns have been addressed, and set out the type of fostering approval that may be appropriate. You should have an opportunity to discuss the report and point out factual errors or information that needs clarification before it is considered.

What the fostering panel considers

The fostering panel is made up of people with relevant experience and knowledge. It examines the assessment report alongside the supporting documents and asks questions where further explanation is needed. This may include questions about your motivation, family relationships, safeguarding, boundaries, behaviour management, health, support network or ability to work with professionals.

The panel also considers the proposed terms of approval . These describe the kind of fostering placement you may be suitable for, such as the number of children, their age range, and any other relevant circumstances. The terms need to reflect both your strengths and the situations you can manage safely; they are not simply based on the type of placement you initially imagined.

After considering the evidence, the panel makes a recommendation. It may recommend approval, recommend that approval is not given, or ask for the assessment to be deferred while particular information or clarification is obtained. A deferral is not automatically a refusal. It means that the decision cannot be reached responsibly until the outstanding issues have been considered.

The final decision

The agency decision-maker reviews the assessment material and the panel’s recommendation before making the formal decision. The decision-maker normally takes the recommendation into account, but the panel and decision-maker have separate roles. The final decision should be based on the evidence, the relevant fostering requirements and the safety and welfare of children.

If approval is granted, you will receive written confirmation of the decision and your terms of approval. These terms guide the placements that can be considered for you. Approval does not mean that every placement will be suitable; each proposed placement must still be assessed against the child’s needs and your household’s circumstances.

If the agency is considering refusing approval, you should be told the reasons and given information about the representation process. This allows you to comment on the proposed decision and correct any misunderstanding or provide relevant further information. The precise procedure and timescales should be explained in the written notice from the fostering service.

What can affect the outcome?

A concern does not necessarily end an assessment. The important issue is how significant the concern is, whether it affects safeguarding or your ability to care, and whether there is reliable evidence that it has been addressed. For example, the assessment may explore how a change in employment, health, household membership, relationship or living arrangements affects your suitability.

Some issues may lead to additional enquiries, further training, updated medical advice, a revised household plan or a different recommendation. Other concerns may be sufficiently serious that approval would not be considered safe. The decision should explain how the evidence has been weighed rather than relying on general impressions.

After the decision

If you are approved, the fostering service continues to monitor and review your approval. Your circumstances, skills and support needs can change, and the terms of approval may need to be considered again. You should tell your fostering service about significant changes so that their impact can be assessed properly.

If you are not approved, ask for a clear explanation of the reasons and the next steps available to you. You may be able to make representations through the procedure set out in the decision notice. A fostering service should explain what information is relevant, whether an independent review route applies, and how to submit your response.

Overall, the decision is based on your demonstrated suitability to meet children’s needs safely, your ability to work within the fostering framework, and the evidence gathered during the assessment. It is not a judgement based solely on your age, income, relationship status or previous experience; each applicant’s circumstances must be considered in context and against the requirements of fostering.