How long does a fostering assessment take?

A fostering assessment usually takes several months from formal application to an agency decision. The exact length depends on how quickly each stage can be completed, whether further information is needed and whether your household circumstances change during the process.

What happens during the assessment?

The process is normally organised in stages so that the agency can understand your suitability, experience, household and ability to meet the needs of children in foster care.

• Initial application and eligibility review: The agency confirms basic eligibility and discusses your circumstances, household composition, accommodation, employment and reasons for wanting to foster.
• Stage one checks: Relevant information is gathered about your identity, health, criminal record, finances and previous experience of caring for children. The agency may also need to contact other organisations or authorities where appropriate.
• Stage two assessment: A supervising social worker explores your skills, relationships, support network, parenting approach, resilience and understanding of fostering. This is usually carried out through several detailed discussions and visits to your home.
• Assessment report: The information is brought together into a written report. You should have an opportunity to check the factual accuracy of the report and raise any points that you believe need correcting or explaining.
• Panel and agency decision: The report is considered by an approval panel, which makes a recommendation. The agency decision-maker then reaches the formal decision about approval and any recommended terms of approval.

Why can one assessment take longer than another?

Common reasons include delays in receiving information from third parties, difficulty arranging meetings, complex family or health circumstances, time needed to clarify previous experience, and changes such as a move of home, a new job or a change in household members. If you have lived abroad, worked with children in regulated settings or had previous involvement with social care services, additional information may be required.

The suitability of your home is also considered in context. If adaptations, repairs or safety improvements are needed, the assessment may continue while these are addressed, but approval cannot be recommended until the agency is satisfied that the home is suitable for fostering.

Can the assessment be delayed by missing information?

Yes. A referee who cannot be contacted, incomplete medical information or an outstanding background check can prevent the agency from completing its assessment. It is helpful to provide accurate details at the outset, tell the agency about relevant changes promptly and respond to requests for documents or clarification without unnecessary delay.

It is also important to be open about matters that may affect the assessment. Previous convictions, financial difficulties, health conditions, relationship changes or past involvement with children’s services do not automatically mean that you cannot foster. However, the agency must consider them properly, and withholding information can create greater difficulty than discussing it honestly.

How can you keep the process moving?

• Prepare the names and contact details of suitable referees.
• Keep documents, dates and employment or address histories together.
• Make sure everyone in the household understands the assessment and takes part where appropriate.
• Ask what information is still outstanding after each stage.
• Tell your assessing social worker about significant changes in your circumstances.
• Use training and meetings to consider the practical impact of fostering on work, family life and existing commitments.

Your agency should explain its own process, identify the next step and tell you when your information has been passed to the relevant decision-making stage. If the assessment is taking longer than expected, ask which parts are complete, what remains outstanding and whether anything is needed from you.

The timescale should allow for a careful assessment rather than encourage decisions to be rushed. Approval depends on whether the agency has enough reliable information to decide that you can provide safe, consistent and appropriate care, and to identify the type of placement that may suit your household.