How long does it take to apply to become a foster carer?

There is no fixed timescale for becoming a foster carer. The full process usually takes several months because the fostering agency must assess your circumstances carefully, complete statutory checks, arrange preparation training and present its recommendation to a fostering panel. The time needed can vary depending on your household, the information required and whether checks or documents take longer than expected.

The main stages are:

• Initial enquiry and discussion: You speak with a fostering adviser to understand what fostering involves, the types of placements available and whether fostering may be suitable for your household.
• Application and initial visit: If you decide to proceed, you complete an application and a member of the fostering team will normally arrange a visit or detailed discussion. This gives you an opportunity to ask practical questions and allows the agency to understand your home, relationships, support network and reasons for fostering.
• Checks and references: The agency carries out checks required for fostering, which may include enhanced criminal record checks, local authority checks, employment references, personal references, identity checks and financial information. Household members may also need to provide information or take part in checks, depending on their age and circumstances.
• Health assessment: You will usually be asked to arrange a medical assessment with your GP or another appropriate health professional. This is not intended to require perfect health. Its purpose is to establish whether you can meet the physical and emotional demands of fostering and whether any support or adjustments should be considered.
• Preparation training: You attend training that explores safeguarding, child development, trauma, attachment, behaviour, safer caring, recording and working with other professionals. Training helps you decide whether fostering is right for you as well as helping the agency assess your readiness.
• Form F assessment: An assessing social worker meets with you over a series of sessions and gathers information about your childhood, relationships, family life, experiences, strengths and support network. The social worker prepares an assessment report explaining your suitability, the types of placements that may be appropriate and any areas where further support or development may be needed.
• Fostering panel and agency decision: The completed assessment is considered by a fostering panel. The panel makes a recommendation, which is then considered by the agency decision-maker. You should receive the decision and an explanation of the next steps from the fostering agency.

What can make the process take longer? Delays do not necessarily mean there is a problem with your application. Common reasons include waiting for information from previous employers or other organisations, difficulty obtaining references, incomplete addresses or dates for checks, changes in household circumstances, or needing further information about health or finances. If more than one adult is applying, the agency may need to gather information about each applicant and assess how everyone in the household feels about fostering.

Applications can also take longer where the assessment identifies an issue that needs further exploration. For example, the social worker may need to understand a previous relationship, a criminal conviction, a health condition, a period of financial difficulty or the impact fostering could have on children already living at home. Further discussion is part of responsible assessment and does not automatically mean that you cannot foster.

What can help keep your application moving?

• Give complete and accurate information at the outset, including previous addresses, employment details and relevant personal history.
• Tell your referees what information they may be asked to provide and encourage them to respond promptly.
• Keep documents such as identification and household information organised.
• Be open with your assessing social worker about health, relationships, finances and any changes in your circumstances.
• Attend agreed training and assessment meetings, and raise any difficulty with dates as soon as possible.
• Make sure everyone in your household understands the process and has an opportunity to ask questions.

You do not need to have every answer before making an enquiry. The early discussions are there to help you understand the role, while the assessment is designed to build a full picture of your circumstances rather than judge you on a single factor. Your fostering team should explain which stage you have reached, what information is still needed and whether anything is affecting the expected timetable.

If your circumstances change during the application, such as moving home, changing employment, starting a new relationship or experiencing a significant health change, tell the agency promptly. The assessment may need to be updated, but sharing changes early is safer and more straightforward than allowing important information to emerge later.

For applicants in Birmingham, Worcestershire, Staffordshire and other parts of the West Midlands, local staff can guide you through the stages and explain what is needed for your particular household. Become A Foster Family has offices in Droitwich and Stoke, with staff located across the region to provide local support throughout the application.