How long does the fostering assessment take in Worcestershire?

The length of a fostering assessment in Worcestershire is influenced by the evidence needed to understand your suitability, household and circumstances. The assessment is complete when the required information has been gathered, your assessing social worker has considered it with you, and the fostering assessment report is ready for consideration.

The process usually involves several connected stages:

• Initial information gathering: You will discuss your reasons for fostering, your experience of caring for children, your family circumstances, employment, health, relationships and support network.
• Pre-assessment checks: Relevant checks and references are requested, which can include criminal record checks, local authority checks, medical information, employer references and personal references. Information may be needed for other adults living in or regularly visiting your household.
• Home and household assessment: Visits and discussions help establish whether your home and wider household can provide a safe, stable and suitable environment for a child. If you have children, their views and experiences may also form part of the assessment.
• Preparation training: Training helps you understand safeguarding, children’s development, trauma, behaviour, identity, contact with birth families and the practical responsibilities involved in fostering. It also gives you opportunities to consider how fostering may affect your household.
• Assessment report: Your social worker brings the information together in a structured report. You should have the opportunity to discuss the report and clarify factual points before it progresses to the next stage.

The timescale can be affected by matters outside your assessing social worker’s direct control. For example, references or checks may take different lengths of time, medical information may need further clarification, or visits and training may need to fit around work and family commitments. Changes in your household, employment, health or personal circumstances can also mean that further information is needed.

You can help the process move smoothly by completing forms accurately, returning information promptly, telling your assessing social worker about any changes, and making sure referees understand that they may be contacted. It is also useful to prepare questions between visits and be open about areas where you may need additional guidance. Raising an issue early normally makes it easier to decide what information or support is required.

Completion of the assessment does not itself mean that you are approved. Once the report is finished, it is considered through the relevant fostering decision process, which includes an independent fostering panel recommendation before the agency decision is made. This is separate from the work involved in gathering and assessing the evidence, so the overall journey continues after the assessment report has been completed.

Your assessing social worker should explain what is happening at each point, identify anything still outstanding and tell you what needs to happen next. If you are unsure whether a delay relates to a check, reference, training requirement or part of the report, ask for a clear update and an explanation of the next action.