What happens after I submit my fostering application?

Submitting a fostering application starts a formal assessment of your suitability, household and ability to care for a child or young person safely. It does not mean that approval is automatic. The agency uses the information you provide, evidence from checks and discussions with you to decide whether fostering is appropriate and what type of placement you may be able to offer.

One of the first steps is to review your application and clarify any points that need more detail. You may be asked about your reasons for fostering, family relationships, employment, health, lifestyle, previous experience with children and the practical arrangements within your home. This is an opportunity to correct misunderstandings and raise questions about the process.

The agency will then gather information from a range of sources. Depending on your circumstances, this can include:

• identity and address information;
• criminal record checks, including checks for other relevant adults in the household;
• local authority and children’s services checks;
• medical information from your GP or another healthcare professional;
• references from people who know you well, such as employers or personal referees;
• details of your finances, home and household arrangements; and
• information about previous fostering, adoption or other relevant caring roles.

These checks are not designed to judge you in isolation. The assessor considers what the information means for fostering, whether any concerns can be managed and what support or safeguards may be needed. Honesty is important: withholding relevant information can cause difficulties later, whereas discussing it openly allows the agency to assess your circumstances fairly.

A fostering assessor will normally spend time getting to know you and the people in your household. This may involve visits to your home and separate or joint conversations with household members. The assessment looks at areas such as your capacity to work with professionals, respond to challenging behaviour, respect a child’s identity and relationships, maintain safe boundaries, and provide consistent care. It also considers how fostering could affect existing children, relationships, work and daily routines.

You will be expected to take part in preparatory training. This helps you understand the responsibilities of fostering and gives you the opportunity to consider whether the role fits your circumstances. Training may cover safeguarding, safer caring, attachment, trauma, behaviour, contact with birth families, recording information and working with the wider professional network. Your participation and reflections can form part of the overall assessment.

The assessor brings the information together in a written assessment report. You should have the opportunity to check the factual accuracy of the report and discuss any points you do not understand. The report sets out your strengths, areas requiring further development, the support that may be needed and the recommendation about approval. It may also recommend the age range, number of children, and types of placement that would be suitable.

The report is considered by a fostering panel. Panel members review the evidence, ask questions and make a recommendation about whether you should be approved and on what terms. You may be invited to attend and answer questions, although the precise arrangements depend on the agency’s procedure. The panel’s recommendation is then considered by the agency’s decision-maker, who makes the formal approval decision.

If you are approved, the agency will explain the terms of your approval, the next practical steps and how you will be supported when considering placements. Approval is not the same as accepting every placement: any proposed match should take account of the child’s needs, your approval terms, your household and your ability to provide the required care.

If approval is not recommended or is declined, the agency should explain the reasons and tell you what review or appeal arrangements apply. You can ask for the decision and its implications to be explained clearly, including whether any further information or assessment is relevant. You are also free to withdraw during the process, although it is sensible to discuss your reasons with the agency so you understand the consequences and any available options.

Before submitting an application, ask the agency who will be your main contact, how it will keep you informed, which checks apply to everyone in your household, how it handles information that raises concerns, and what support is available during assessment. A clear answer to these points can help you understand what happens next and judge whether the agency’s approach is right for you.