What checks are involved in becoming a foster carer in Walsall?

The checks form part of a full fostering assessment designed to establish whether your household can offer a safe, stable and suitable environment for a child. They are not intended to assess whether you are a perfect parent; the assessment considers your circumstances, experience, relationships, health, motivation and ability to work with professionals.

Your assessing social worker will explain which checks apply to you and the other people in your household. You should provide complete and accurate information throughout the process. Omitting information or giving inconsistent answers can create concern, whereas discussing a difficulty openly allows the assessment team to understand the circumstances and consider any safeguards or support that may be appropriate.

Disclosure and Barring Service checks

Adults in the fostering household are normally required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Depending on the household and the fostering arrangement, checks may also be relevant to other adults who have regular contact with a child. The purpose is to identify convictions, cautions and other information that could affect safeguarding.

A criminal record does not automatically mean that someone cannot foster. The relevance of any information is considered carefully, including the nature of the offence, how long ago it occurred, the circumstances, and evidence of subsequent stability and responsibility. Some offences may prevent approval, but the assessment team will explain what information is needed rather than making assumptions based on a brief disclosure.

Health assessment

You will usually be asked to complete a medical assessment with your doctor or another approved medical professional. This considers whether your physical and mental health could affect your ability to care for a child, manage the practical demands of fostering and provide continuity of care.

A health condition or disability is not necessarily a barrier. The relevant question is how it affects your day-to-day life and whether suitable adjustments, treatment or additional support would allow you to foster safely. The assessment may consider medication, mobility, stress management and the demands of caring for children with different needs. Medical information is handled as part of the assessment process and is discussed only where it is relevant to your suitability and support needs.

References and background information

Personal referees are asked about your character, relationships, reliability and ability to care for children. Referees should know you well enough to give a meaningful account of your circumstances. The assessing team may also seek information about previous work involving children, caring responsibilities or other experience that is relevant to fostering.

Where you have lived or worked in different places, further information may be needed to build a clear picture of your history. Previous relationships, including significant separations, may also be discussed. This is not about judging someone for having experienced change; it helps the assessor understand how you manage conflict, loss and stressful situations.

Household and relationship checks

The assessment includes conversations with everyone who lives in your home. The team will consider whether household members understand fostering, support the application and are able to respect a child’s privacy and boundaries. Children in the household may be included in an age-appropriate way.

Your relationships, support network and approach to managing disagreements may be explored. Fostering can affect routines, personal space and family life, so the assessment needs to identify how responsibilities would be shared and how you would respond if a child’s behaviour or needs placed extra pressure on the household.

Home visit and safety assessment

A social worker will visit your home to assess its suitability. This normally includes looking at sleeping arrangements, space, privacy, security, fire safety, cleanliness, storage of medicines and hazardous substances, and any risks presented by pets or other features of the property.

The assessment is not about having an expensive or immaculate house. It is about whether the home is safe, appropriately maintained and capable of meeting the needs of the child who may be placed there. Any changes needed should be identified during the assessment, giving you an opportunity to address them before approval is considered.

Financial and employment checks

You may be asked for information about your income, regular commitments, debts and general financial circumstances. The aim is to establish that the household can manage its normal living costs and that financial pressure would not place a child’s care at risk. Fostering allowances are intended to contribute towards the costs of caring for a child, but financial planning remains part of responsible preparation.

Employment arrangements may also be discussed, particularly if you work full time, have irregular hours or travel for work. The assessment considers whether you can meet appointments, training requirements and the practical demands of caring for a child, as well as how work and childcare arrangements would operate safely.

What happens after the checks?

The information is brought together in the wider fostering assessment. You will have opportunities to discuss the findings, clarify information and consider any recommendations. The assessment may identify preparation or support that should be in place before approval, rather than treating every issue as an automatic refusal.

When the assessment is complete, it is considered through the fostering approval process. The decision focuses on your overall suitability and the types of placements that could safely be considered, including age range, numbers of children and any needs that would require particular experience or arrangements. Your assessing social worker should explain the outcome, any conditions attached to approval and the next steps.

If you are considering fostering in Walsall, the assessment team can explain the documents you will need, who must complete checks and how information is handled. Asking questions early is sensible, especially if you have a previous conviction, a health condition, complex family circumstances or concerns about the suitability of your home.