Who is interviewed during an independent fostering assessment?

An independent fostering assessment normally involves interviews with everyone whose knowledge or experience can help the assessor understand the applicant’s suitability to foster. The main interviews are with each applicant, but the assessor may also speak to household members, family members, referees and relevant professionals. The exact people involved depend on the household, the applicants’ history and the type of fostering being considered.

Each applicant

Every applicant should have the opportunity to speak directly with the assessor. Where there are two applicants, they may be interviewed together to explore their relationship, shared approach to caring and expectations about fostering. The assessor will also usually want time with each applicant separately. Individual discussions can help applicants speak openly about personal experiences, relationships, health, family history or concerns that they may not wish to raise in front of their partner.

Topics may include childhood experiences, significant relationships, previous caring responsibilities, employment, health, financial circumstances, managing stress, attitudes towards behaviour and the reasons for wanting to foster. These discussions are not designed to look for a perfect personal history. The assessor is considering whether applicants understand how their experiences may affect their fostering and whether they can reflect, learn and seek appropriate help.

People living in the household

Household members are considered because fostering affects the whole home. This can include a partner who is not applying, birth or adopted children, adult children, other relatives, lodgers and anyone else who lives at the property or spends substantial time there. The assessor may ask about their understanding of fostering, their views about sharing the home and how they would respond to changes in family routines.

Children and young people in the household should be included in a way that is suitable for their age and understanding. They may be asked what they think fostering would mean for them, what questions they have and whether they understand that a fostered child may have different needs or behaviours. Their views are important, but they should not be made to feel responsible for the final decision. An adult household member who is not applying may also be spoken to separately where this is helpful.

Family members and personal referees

The assessor may interview people who know the applicant well, such as relatives, close friends or other personal referees. These conversations help test and add context to the information provided by the applicant. A referee may be asked about the applicant’s reliability, relationships, response to pressure, attitude towards children and ability to accept advice.

Where relevant, the assessor may also seek the views of an adult child, a former partner or someone who has previously shared a home with the applicant. This is not automatic in every assessment. It is more likely where that person has useful knowledge of the applicant’s family life, parenting or relationship history. The assessor should explain why their involvement is relevant and handle sensitive information carefully.

Professionals and people with relevant knowledge

Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, the assessor may need information from professionals who have been involved with the applicant or their family. This could include a social worker, health professional, education professional, previous fostering or adoption worker, or another person with direct knowledge of relevant events. An applicant’s consent will normally be needed before information is requested, although safeguarding duties can affect how information is shared.

Not every professional contact is an interview. For example, a medical assessment, statutory check or written reference may provide information through a report rather than a meeting with the independent assessor. Similarly, checks with the police or other agencies are separate parts of the assessment process and should not be confused with interviews.

People connected with previous experiences

If an applicant has previously fostered, adopted, cared for children professionally or been assessed by another agency, the assessor may contact the relevant organisation or professional. The purpose is to understand the applicant’s previous experience, training, support needs and any concerns or recommendations that remain relevant. An applicant should be able to explain the circumstances of a previous approval ending or an application not proceeding.

If the assessment identifies a possible safeguarding issue, the assessor may need to speak with additional people who have first-hand information. This could include the applicant, another household member or a professional involved in the matter. The assessor should distinguish between fact, allegation and professional opinion, give the applicant a fair opportunity to respond and record how information has been considered.

How the interviews are arranged

Interviews may take place in the applicants’ home, at another suitable location or online where appropriate. Some conversations will be joint and others private. The assessor should explain the purpose of each interview, who will receive the information and how it will contribute to the assessment report. Household members should not be expected to answer questions beyond their understanding or experience, and children should be approached sensitively.

Applicants can ask who the assessor wants to interview and why. They should also raise any concerns about privacy, communication needs or a person’s ability to give an independent account. The final assessment should bring together the applicants’ evidence, the views of household members and information from referees or professionals, rather than relying on a single interview.