What happens if my foster carer application is not approved?

If a foster carer application is not approved, the fostering agency must explain the decision and follow the formal review process that applies in England. You should receive written information about the reasons for the decision, the decision-making stage reached and any options available to you.

A decision not to approve an application may be linked to matters identified during the assessment, such as safeguarding concerns, information from statutory checks, health or household circumstances, the practical capacity to foster, or evidence that the requirements for fostering have not been met. The decision should relate to the assessment evidence rather than being based on a general impression.

What happens after the assessment?

In many cases, the assessment is presented to the fostering panel. The panel considers the information gathered by the assessing social worker and makes a recommendation about whether the applicant should be approved. The agency decision-maker then considers the panel’s recommendation and makes the final decision. The panel’s view and the agency decision-maker’s decision are separate stages, so the outcome should be explained clearly.

If the agency is considering a decision not to approve you, it should notify you of the proposed decision and the reasons for it. You will normally have an opportunity to make written representations or ask for the matter to be considered through the Independent Review Mechanism. In England, this is generally within 28 days of receiving the relevant notification. Your written notice should confirm the applicable deadline and explain how to respond.

Your main options are:

• Ask for clarification. Speak to your assessing social worker or fostering team so you understand which evidence led to the decision and whether any information has been misunderstood or left out.
• Make representations. You can respond to the reasons given and identify factual errors, missing information or relevant changes in your circumstances. The agency may arrange for the fostering panel to reconsider the matter before the final decision is made.
• Request an independent review. Instead of, or where appropriate alongside, the agency’s representations process, you may be able to apply to the Independent Review Mechanism. It reviews the recommendation; it does not itself approve applicants. The agency decision-maker remains responsible for the final decision.
• Consider whether a later application is appropriate. A further application is not automatically suitable. It may need to be discussed with the agency, particularly where the decision relates to circumstances that would need to change or further evidence that would need to be provided.

Do not let the deadline pass while you are waiting for an informal conversation. If you are considering representations or an independent review, check the written notification carefully and ask the fostering team what must be submitted and by when. You may also wish to obtain independent legal or advocacy advice if the reasons involve complex safeguarding, health or legal issues.

A decision not to approve you does not mean that you cannot contribute to children’s wellbeing in any other capacity. After the decision has been explained, the fostering team can discuss whether fostering could be reconsidered in the future and whether another form of support for children and young people would be appropriate for you. The important first step is to understand the specific evidence and the formal route available, rather than assuming that the outcome cannot be reviewed.

Our assessing team can explain the decision-making process, help you understand the information provided and discuss the next steps that apply to your circumstances. You should receive clear guidance without feeling pressured to continue with an application or to begin another one before you are ready.