What checks are needed to become a foster carer?

The checks needed to become a foster carer are safeguarding and suitability checks carried out as part of the fostering assessment. They help the fostering service understand your identity, health, household, background, relationships, finances and ability to care for a child safely. The checks are considered together rather than as a simple pass-or-fail checklist.

Criminal record and safeguarding checks

Applicants and adults in the household will normally need enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. The fostering service may also need to consider adults who have regular, significant contact with children in the home. A DBS check can show convictions, cautions and other relevant information. A past offence does not automatically prevent someone from fostering; its nature, date, circumstances and relevance to caring for children will be assessed carefully. Full and honest disclosure is important, including information that may not appear on a current certificate.

Additional police checks may be needed if you have lived outside the UK. The fostering service will explain what evidence is available and how it should be provided, as overseas checking arrangements vary between countries.

Identity, address and household checks

You will need to provide documents confirming your identity and current address. The assessing social worker will also establish who lives in your household, who has parental responsibility for any children, and who may have regular access to your home. This can include checking the circumstances of other household members and considering how everyone feels about fostering.

Where relevant, the service may make checks with local authorities about previous involvement with children’s services. This is not limited to applicants who have previously fostered. It can help identify information about the care or protection of children in the household and ensure that any relevant history is properly understood.

Health assessment

A medical assessment is usually completed by your GP or another suitably qualified health professional using information requested by the fostering service. It considers whether your physical and mental health could affect your ability to care for a child, including managing the practical demands of fostering and responding to a child’s needs over time.

The purpose is not to require perfect health. Conditions, disabilities or previous mental health difficulties are considered individually. The assessment may identify support, adjustments or further medical information that should be taken into account. You should disclose relevant health information accurately so that the fostering service can assess the situation safely and fairly.

Employment and personal references

References are used to build a rounded picture of your character, reliability, relationships and experience of caring for or working with children. The fostering service will usually seek references from people who know you well and may request an employer’s reference where appropriate. It may also ask about previous relationships, including former partners, if this is relevant to understanding your circumstances and any potential safeguarding issues.

People providing references should be able to comment honestly on your suitability. Referees may be contacted directly, and the information they provide forms part of the overall assessment rather than being treated in isolation.

Home and environmental checks

Your home will be visited to assess whether it provides a suitable, secure environment for a foster child. The assessment can cover sleeping arrangements, privacy, space, safe storage of medicines and hazardous substances, fire safety, heating, cleanliness and general household safety. The service will also consider pets, smoking, garden areas, transport arrangements and any other feature that could affect a child’s welfare.

You do not usually need to own your home, but you must have a stable right to live there. If you rent, permission from your landlord may be required. Any improvements or safety measures identified during the assessment should be discussed with the assessing social worker and completed before approval where necessary.

Financial and lifestyle information

The fostering service will ask about your income, regular outgoings, debts and general financial stability. This is intended to establish that fostering is financially viable and that you are not relying on a fostering allowance to resolve serious existing financial difficulties. It is separate from deciding whether you will receive a particular allowance or payment.

Your lifestyle, routines, work commitments, support network and relationships will also be explored. The assessment considers whether you can offer the consistency, availability and boundaries that a foster child may need, while managing contact with birth family, appointments, education and professional meetings.

Previous caring or fostering history

If you have previously fostered, adopted, worked in childcare or had significant involvement with children’s services, the fostering service may request information from relevant organisations. This can include details about previous applications, approvals, placements or safeguarding concerns. Being open about earlier applications or caring roles helps the assessing social worker understand your experience and avoid delays caused by missing information.

What happens if a check raises a concern?

A concern does not necessarily end an application. The fostering service should discuss the issue with you, check the accuracy of the information and consider its relevance, seriousness and timing. Some matters may require further documents, an additional interview, an updated medical opinion or a clearer safety plan. Certain offences or circumstances can prevent approval, but decisions must be based on the full assessment and applicable fostering regulations.

You will normally be asked to give consent for the relevant checks and to provide documents promptly. Information is handled as part of the assessment and shared with the professionals who need it for safeguarding and decision-making. If anything changes during the assessment, such as a new household member, address, job or police matter, tell your fostering service so that the checks remain accurate.

The checks are only one part of the wider fostering assessment. Training, interviews and discussions with your household help the fostering service understand your approach to caring, your learning needs and the types of placement that may be appropriate. Your local fostering team can explain which documents apply to your circumstances and what happens if further information is needed.