Who can foster in Warwickshire?

Eligibility to foster involves more than meeting the basic age and accommodation requirements. The fostering assessment considers whether you can offer consistent care, work safely with professionals, manage the demands of fostering and meet the individual needs of children and young people.

Applicants are assessed as individuals and as members of their household. This means the assessment will consider:

• your reasons for wanting to foster and your understanding of the responsibilities involved;
• your health, lifestyle and emotional resilience;
• your ability to communicate with social workers, schools, birth families and other professionals;
• how you respond to difficult behaviour, uncertainty and changes in placement arrangements;
• the views of everyone living in your household; and
• whether your home environment is safe, suitable and able to meet the needs of a foster child.

You do not need to have previous experience of fostering. Skills gained through parenting, childcare, education, healthcare, social care, youth work or other caring roles may be useful, but applicants are considered on their overall circumstances rather than on one particular career background. Applicants without direct childcare experience can discuss their transferable skills during the assessment.

Everyone in the household must be willing to take part in the process. This can include partners, children and other regular members of the household, depending on their relationship with the applicant and the proposed fostering arrangements. The assessment looks at how fostering could affect existing relationships, routines, privacy and household safety.

Fostering agencies carry out several checks before approval. These normally include identity and background checks, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, local authority checks, personal references and a medical assessment. Other checks may be needed depending on your circumstances. A criminal record does not automatically mean that you cannot foster, but certain offences or safeguarding concerns may prevent approval. You should disclose relevant information openly so that it can be considered properly.

Your financial circumstances will also be discussed. You need to be able to manage your household finances without relying on fostering payments to meet essential costs before a placement begins. The assessment will explain the allowances and financial support available, but payments and tax treatment can depend on the type of placement and current arrangements.

People who work, have children of their own, live with pets or have other significant commitments may still be eligible. These factors are considered in relation to the age, needs and type of placements you could safely support. For example, employment arrangements may need to allow enough flexibility for appointments, training, meetings and the day-to-day needs of a child. The important issue is whether your overall circumstances provide reliable care and supervision.

After an initial discussion, the process usually includes an application, checks, preparation training, a detailed assessment and consideration by the agency’s fostering panel or decision-maker. You will have opportunities to ask questions and provide information about your experience, household and support network. Approval is based on the evidence gathered during this process, not simply on whether you meet a checklist.

If you are unsure about one aspect of your circumstances, it is usually best to raise it at the beginning. The local team can explain how matters such as health, work, relationships, household members or previous convictions may be considered and what information will be needed before you decide whether to apply.