How long does the fostering assessment take in Worcester?

The fostering assessment in Worcester usually takes several months from formal application to the final approval decision. It is a detailed assessment rather than a single appointment, and the timescale is shaped by the checks, references, training and household discussions needed to decide whether fostering is suitable for you.

The process normally includes the following stages:

• Initial enquiry and information gathering: You discuss your circumstances, household, motivation and the type of fostering you are considering. This helps establish whether you are ready to proceed to a formal application.
• Application and initial assessment: Once you apply, a social worker considers your circumstances in more detail. This may include a home visit and discussions about your accommodation, relationships, employment, health, support network and experience of caring for children.
• Statutory and personal checks: The assessment includes relevant checks, such as criminal record checks, local authority checks, health information, financial circumstances and references. Checks may involve other adults in the household and, where appropriate, people who have known you in a caring or professional capacity.
• Preparation training: You will usually complete training during the assessment. This covers subjects such as safeguarding, child development, safer caring, managing behaviour, working with birth families and the impact fostering can have on your household.
• Home visits and assessment discussions: Your assessing social worker will meet with you and the people in your household to explore your strengths, experience, expectations and support needs. The assessment also considers how your family would manage the practical and emotional demands of fostering.
• Assessment report and panel: The social worker prepares a report bringing together the information collected. This is considered by a fostering panel, which makes a recommendation about approval and the type of fostering that may be appropriate.
• Final decision: An agency decision-maker considers the panel’s recommendation and makes the formal approval decision. If you are approved, the terms of your approval will be explained, including the kinds of placements you may be considered for.

Some parts of the process can happen at the same time. For example, training may take place while checks are being completed, rather than waiting until every other stage has finished. This can help the assessment progress without unnecessary pauses, although it cannot remove delays caused by information that is incomplete or takes longer to obtain.

What can make the assessment take longer? Delays are more likely when references are difficult to obtain, overseas or previous addresses need checking, medical information requires clarification, or several adults need to be assessed. A change in employment, relationship, household membership or living arrangements may also mean that parts of the assessment need to be revisited. If you are applying as a couple, both applicants need to be available for discussions and must be assessed individually as well as together.

The assessment may also take longer if the fostering service needs more information about your experience, support network or ability to care for a particular age group. This is not necessarily a negative sign. The purpose is to reach a properly informed decision and identify any preparation or support that would be useful before approval.

You can help the process move smoothly by:

• providing accurate information about your address history, employment, health and household;
• letting referees know what information they may be asked to provide;
• returning forms and supplying documents when requested;
• being open about previous experiences, difficulties and support needs;
• making sure household members understand their role in the assessment; and
• raising questions promptly if you are unsure what is needed or if your circumstances change.

It is important not to judge progress solely by the time since your first enquiry. The formal assessment generally starts once an application has been accepted, and earlier conversations or information sessions may not count as part of the assessment itself. Your assessing social worker can explain which stage you have reached, what information is outstanding and what needs to happen before panel.

If the assessment identifies areas that need further consideration, the outcome may involve additional preparation, a change to the type of fostering being considered or a decision not to recommend approval. You should be given an explanation of the decision and information about the relevant next steps. Become a Foster Family can guide applicants through the assessment requirements, help them understand what is being considered and provide support as they prepare for panel.