What checks does a Birmingham fostering agency make on household members?

Checks on household members are designed to establish whether the home is safe, stable and suitable for a child in care. The agency looks at each person’s circumstances as well as how the household functions together, rather than treating a check as a simple pass-or-fail exercise.

Adult household members

Every adult who lives in the property, and any other adult who will have a significant role in the child’s life, will usually need to provide information and consent to relevant checks. This can include:

• proof of identity and address;
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, including any information relevant to safeguarding;
• local authority checks where appropriate;
• health information, normally completed through a medical assessment or report; and
• references or other information that helps assess character, reliability and suitability.

The agency may ask about previous addresses, time spent living abroad, previous involvement with children’s services, and any convictions, cautions or other concerns. Information does not automatically mean that an application will end. Its relevance, age, circumstances and potential impact on a child are considered carefully, with safeguarding as the priority.

Partners, relatives and other regular visitors

A partner who lives elsewhere may still be considered if they regularly stay overnight or will have substantial contact with a foster child. The same applies to relatives, friends, lodgers, childcare providers or other adults who may spend significant time in the household. The agency needs to understand who will be present, what role they may have and whether they understand the boundaries that apply to fostering.

Regular visitors may not need precisely the same checks as resident adults, but the agency will assess the level of contact and may request further information where necessary. Adults who are not approved foster carers must not take on fostering responsibilities unless this has been agreed within the relevant arrangements.

Children and young people already living at home

Children in the household are not assessed as applicants, but their views and welfare matter. The assessing social worker will consider their age, understanding, routines, privacy, feelings about sharing their home and ability to cope with the practical effects of fostering. They may be spoken to directly in an age-appropriate way, with the approach adapted for their communication needs.

The agency will also consider whether the proposed fostering arrangements could expose a child already in the home to inappropriate behaviour, distress or unsafe situations. This may affect the age range, number of children or types of placements considered suitable.

What the agency discusses with the household

Checks are supported by conversations and home visits. Household members may be asked about:

• their understanding of fostering and the reasons for the application;
• how household rules, privacy and confidentiality will be managed;
• how they would respond to challenging behaviour or allegations;
• relationships within the family and how disagreements are handled;
• the effect of fostering on work, social activities and existing responsibilities; and
• whether everyone can support the applicant’s training, recording and professional relationships.

The agency will also look at the home environment, including sleeping arrangements, supervision, household safety and whether there is enough space for a child’s belongings and privacy. A separate bedroom is commonly expected for a foster child, although the precise arrangements depend on the child’s needs and the applicable fostering requirements.

Be open about concerns

Applicants should disclose relevant information rather than wait for a check to reveal it. This includes previous convictions, past involvement with social services, significant health issues, domestic abuse concerns, or changes in household membership. Failing to disclose information can create greater concern than the original issue because fostering depends on honesty and safe professional practice.

If a check raises a concern, the agency should discuss it with the relevant person and consider whether further information, professional advice or risk management is needed. Possible outcomes can include changing the proposed arrangements, setting clear household boundaries, or deciding that fostering is not suitable in the current circumstances. The assessment should explain the reasons for any decision and identify what information is still required.

It is sensible to tell the agency at the start who lives in the home, who visits regularly and who may provide support. This allows the checks and household discussions to reflect the real circumstances of the family and gives everyone a clear understanding of their responsibilities before approval is considered.