Introduction
Everyone who wants to become a foster carer has to undertake an assessment. The assessment is about exploring your individual skills and experiences which will be as varied as the children that need foster carers. The assessment also provides you with information about fostering and how fostering will affect you, your family and your friends. If you have children, it is important that you talk with them at an early stage about being part of a fostering family.
Timescales
In our experience, Local Authorities take about six months and Independent Fostering Agencies take an average of four months to complete the assessment. However Local Authorities are catching up.
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Foster care training course
As your application proceeds you will be invited to attend a training course, most Fostering providers use the Fostering Network course called "Skills to Foster".
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Home study and assessment
The social worker will visit you and your family at home. It is important that you discuss fostering with your children at an early stage and check out how they feel about being part of a fostering family.
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