Initial visit
Once you have received your information booklet call please make contact using the details in the 'Contact information' box on this page to request an initial visit. A family placement social worker will arrange to meet you as soon as possible. This visit provides you with an opportunity to discuss your personal circumstances and you will find out more about the skills you need to become a foster carer and the tasks of caring for a child or young person. The social worker will also discuss with you what you feel you can offer a child or young person.
Your application
If it is agreed to proceed you will be given an official application form which you will need to complete and return to us before an application can progress. For couples both applicants will have to undergo assessment, checks and preparation training as both of you will need to be approved as foster carers.
Skills to foster
Once your application has been received you will be invited to attend a preparation course called 'Skills to Foster'. This course offers you an opportunity to learn more about fostering. The courses are run locally and are offered in the evenings and at weekends. The course contributes to your assessment.
Young people choosing to foster
Your children will be invited to a one-day event that introduces fostering and what this might mean for them.
Home study and assessment
If you wish to proceed and your application is accepted, you and your family will be visited at home and you will be required to provide evidence of your suitability to foster in line with national standards. Working in partnership with your family placement social worker you will be guided through this process. The home study is demanding, it can feel intrusive and it will take several months to complete, but there are good reasons why everything is explored in depth with you, as we need to ensure we get it right for children in your care. Just as importantly, we need to get it right for you and your family.
Various references and checks
By law we have to undertake rigorous checks to ensure the suitability of our foster carers to look after vulnerable children and young people:
- Criminal Records Bureau checks on all people in the household who are over 18 and any people who will be regularly supporting you, such as babysitters
- Local authority checks will be undertaken
- Child health and education checks will be carried out on any school-age children in the household
- Written current or most recent employers references are needed for each applicant. Additional references from any previous employer where there was contact with children will be obtained
- GP Reference
- Three personal references - we will interview two of the referees who must have known you for at least 3 years or more (but not be related to you). If you are a couple the referees must have known both of you for this period
- Interviews will be carried out with any other adults in the household
- Checks will be made with any ex-partners or significant relationships where there any children from the relationship. This would be discussed with you at an initial visit
- The Social Worker will want to talk to your children whether they live in the household or not, including adult children
Fostering panel
Once the information is gathered from the home visits and the checks, a report is written by the social worker which is shared with you to make sure it is accurate and fair. Your details will then be presented to the Fostering Panel. The Fostering Panel is an independent body that consists of a number of professionals, foster carers from other agencies and other individuals with knowledge of relevant areas of fostering. You will be invited and are welcome to attend. The panel recommends approvals and reviews South Gloucestershire foster carers. If approved, you are then registered as a foster carer for South Gloucestershire.
How long will it take to become a foster carer?
The target for the period between receiving your application and you being approved as a foster carer is six months. There are good reasons for this: vulnerable children and young people will be coming to live in your home. We have a duty to make sure that you can offer a safe and caring environment where children will feel welcomed, cared for and valued. For this reason we ask you to go through a process of preparation, during which we assess your skills and abilities as a potential foster carer.
Making a complaint
If at any point you are not happy with the assessment, social worker or any aspect of the fostering process then we ask that you contact the social worker or the fostering team manager to give them the opportunity to resolve the issue. However, if you feel unable to do this or you are still not happy with the process then you have the right to complain within South Gloucestershire's complaints procedure. Please write to:
Complaints, DPA & FOI Manager
Department for Children & Young People
South Gloucestershire Council
PO Box 2082
Council Offices
Castle Street
Thornbury
BS35 9BQ
Tel: 01454 866374