How to become a Foster parent
When you heart strings have pulled to become a foster parent and you want more information, our friendly team is available to support and guide you through every step of the way to becoming a Foster Parent. Most of our staff have personally fostered or adopted, so we can talk from personal experience and can help you navigate through those difficult questions giving you the confidence to make an educated decision on fostering.
There are different stages in becoming a fostering parent and each stage will take different times to complete:
There are different stages in becoming a fostering parent and each stage will take different times to complete:
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1. GET IN TOUCH WITH US
When you contact us, we are able to help you make an educated decision to see if Fostering is for you. Our friendly team is available to answer your questions and address any fears you may have. |
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2. FOUNDATIONS MATTER INITIAL VISIT
An experienced and friendly social worker from Foundations Matter will make an appointment to come and see you and answer all your questions concerning Fostering. |
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3. TRAINING
You will be invited to complete some training sessions that will help you navigate unfamiliar territory. These sessions will give you a more in-depth understanding of the fostering task and are aimed at giving you some foundational skills for fostering. This will ensure that you feel equipped and supported to foster. |
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4. APPLY TO BE A FOSTER PARENT
Once you are certain that you are called to be a foster parent, some paperwork will need to be completed as you start your application process. |
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5. ASSESSMENTS
A Foundations Matter Social Worker will complete a number of assessments that will help match children to you. While this is underway, certain statutory checks will be done such as your DBS. While this assessment is thorough and in-depth we ensure that you feel supported throughout the entire journey. Assessment is a joint journey, a shared learning process for you and us. |
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6. APPROVAL
Once all the hard work is completed, your social worker will arrange for you to be presented to an independent panel who will ask you some questions for clarity while they make a recommendation to Foundations Matter on the approval of you as a foster parent. During this time your social worker will be with you to support you through the panel process. The panel will make their recommendations to an independent decision maker will then make the final decision on approval. |
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7. CONNECT TO A CHILD (OR CHILDREN)
Our dedicated team will start the process of connecting you to a suitable child in need of your care. |
If you'd like to know more but are still unsure if fostering is for you, we're here to help you figure it out and make an informed decision.
Please contact us for a no obligations conversations and get your peace of mind. Our friendly team is patient and armed with tonnes of stories and experience. You can also read our blog to learn more about why we foster.
Please contact us for a no obligations conversations and get your peace of mind. Our friendly team is patient and armed with tonnes of stories and experience. You can also read our blog to learn more about why we foster.
