Who assesses my suitability when I apply to become a foster carer?

Your allocated assessing social worker carries out the main suitability assessment. A separate fostering panel then reviews the completed assessment and makes a recommendation, while the agency’s decision-maker makes the final approval decision. This means your suitability is considered through several stages rather than by one person alone.

The assessing social worker will usually meet with you several times and gather information from different sources. The assessment is intended to understand your circumstances, strengths and support needs, as well as whether you can provide consistent care for a child or young person. It is not simply a check of whether you meet a list of basic requirements.

As part of the process, the social worker may explore:

• your reasons for wanting to foster and your understanding of the role;
• your childhood, family life, relationships and significant experiences;
• your physical and emotional health, including any support that may help you foster safely;
• your ability to work with social workers, schools, health professionals and a child’s birth family where appropriate;
• how you respond to stress, change, challenging behaviour and safeguarding concerns;
• your home, household arrangements and available space;
• the views and circumstances of other adults or children living in your household; and
• your wider support network, including family members or friends who may be involved.

The agency will also complete relevant checks and enquiries. These can include criminal record checks, local authority checks, personal and employment references, identity and financial information, and a medical assessment. The purpose is to identify anything that could affect a child’s safety or your ability to provide suitable care. You should be open about your circumstances: withholding information can create more difficulty than discussing a concern honestly.

You will normally be expected to take part in preparation training during the assessment process. This helps you consider safeguarding, attachment, trauma, behaviour, contact with birth families and the practical responsibilities of fostering. Your participation gives the social worker further information about your understanding of the role and the areas where you may need additional guidance.

When the assessment is complete, the social worker writes a detailed report setting out the information gathered, the strengths identified, any risks or concerns, and the types of fostering that may be suitable. You should have an opportunity to read the report and comment on factual inaccuracies before it is presented to the fostering panel.

The panel is made up of people with relevant experience and knowledge of fostering, social care and other connected areas. It considers the assessment alongside the checks and supporting information, then recommends whether you should be approved and, where appropriate, the terms of that approval. The final decision is made by the agency’s decision-maker after considering the panel’s recommendation.

You can ask your assessing social worker to explain any part of the process that you do not understand. If new information arises or your circumstances change, tell the agency promptly, as this may need to be considered before a decision is reached. The assessment should give you a clear opportunity to discuss both your suitability and any support or development needs.