What safeguarding checks are required for specialist foster carers?

Safeguarding checks for specialist foster carers are part of a wider suitability assessment. They examine whether the applicant and everyone in the household can provide a safe, stable and appropriate environment, while identifying any risks linked to the child’s particular needs. Specialist fostering does not remove the standard checks, but the assessment may explore some areas in greater depth.

Checks on the applicant and household

Everyone who applies to foster is assessed individually. This includes their identity, personal history, health, relationships, household circumstances and motivation to foster. Adults who live in the home, and other people who have regular contact with children in the household, may also need to provide information or complete relevant checks. The assessing team will explain who needs to be included based on the household and proposed fostering arrangements.

Enhanced criminal record information is considered carefully rather than treated as an automatic pass or fail. Any information disclosed is assessed in context, including its nature, seriousness, relevance, age and the circumstances in which it occurred. Applicants should be open about convictions, cautions or other relevant matters. Failing to disclose information can create additional concerns during the assessment.

References and background information

References help build a balanced picture of an applicant’s reliability, relationships and ability to care for children. Referees may be asked about the applicant’s character, experience of caring for children, response to pressure and suitability for fostering. The assessing team may also need to verify employment or other aspects of the applicant’s history.

Where an applicant has lived or worked outside the UK, further information may be needed. This can include overseas criminal record information or other checks, depending on the country and the circumstances. The availability and format of overseas records vary, so applicants should provide accurate details of previous addresses and time spent abroad.

Health and capacity to care

A health assessment considers whether the applicant is physically and emotionally able to foster. It is not intended to exclude people simply because they have a medical condition or disability. Instead, the relevant question is whether any condition could affect the applicant’s ability to meet a child’s needs safely and consistently, and whether reasonable adjustments or additional support may be appropriate.

Specialist placements can involve increased supervision, appointments, transport, therapeutic work or support with behaviour and communication. These demands may therefore be discussed in detail during the health and suitability assessment. Applicants should provide complete and accurate health information so that the proposed fostering arrangements can be assessed responsibly.

Home and household safety

The home is assessed as part of the safeguarding process. This can include sleeping arrangements, privacy, fire safety, security, storage of medicines and hazardous substances, pets, transport arrangements and any other factor that could affect a child’s safety. The assessment is based on the proposed placement and the child’s needs, so requirements may differ between placements.

For a child with mobility difficulties, sensory needs, medical equipment or a heightened risk of absconding, the assessment may consider access, supervision, secure areas and practical adaptations. Any changes should be agreed before the placement begins, rather than assumed to be suitable after a child arrives.

Placement-specific safeguarding information

Before a specialist placement is agreed, information about the child’s needs, known risks, history and care plan is considered alongside the household assessment. This helps determine whether the proposed carer has the skills, experience, space and support required. It may also identify a need for additional training, specialist equipment, a carefully planned introduction or clear arrangements for managing specific risks.

Checks are not limited to the initial application. Safeguarding information is reviewed during the assessment and throughout the fostering relationship. Foster carers must report relevant changes in their household or circumstances, such as a new adult moving into the home, a change in health, a significant relationship change or a new conviction or police matter. These changes can affect the approval or the type of placement considered suitable.

What applicants should prepare

• Accurate identity, address and household details.
• A complete account of previous addresses, employment and time spent overseas.
• Information about health, disabilities and any support or adjustments that may be relevant.
• Details of household members, regular visitors, pets and existing caring responsibilities.
• Contact details for suitable referees who know the applicant well.
• Honest information about any criminal or safeguarding concerns, even where the applicant believes they are historic or minor.

The checks form one part of the full fostering assessment. Training, interviews, home visits and discussions about the applicant’s skills and support network are also used to decide whether specialist fostering is appropriate. The aim is to match the carer’s circumstances and abilities with a child’s needs without overlooking risks or placing unreasonable demands on the household.