Application and Assessment Process
The length of the assessment process is usually around 4 months. However, this may rise to 6 months, depending upon the complexity of your personal circumstances and the speed with which checks and references are received. Every effort is made to ensure that there is no avoidable delay in the application and assessment process.
1. Request Information
FCA requests basic information about you before sending you our information pack: ‘Fostering Matters’.
2. Home Visit
An FCA fostering advisor will visit your home to discuss fostering with you in greater depth. The fostering advisor will put together an initial report based on your discussions, which will recommend whether or not you are to be sent an application form.
3. Application Form
Through completing this application form, you are supplying detailed information about you and your family and giving your consent for us to complete necessary checks and enquiries to determine your suitability to foster.
4. FCA obtains the following references and checks on all applicants:
- Criminal record checks on all adult members of the household (includes information about any criminal convictions or cautions).
- Enquiries to Local Authority or Trust Social Work Services and their Child Protection Registers.
- A medical examination (by your GP) with the report made available to FCA’s Agency Medical Adviser for their comments about your health.
- Identification of at least two personal referees who will provide written references and be interviewed as part of the assessment process.
- References requested from previous employers.
- A standard safety compliance check will need to be carried out on your home.
- Enquiries to other agencies as necessary.
5. Assessment Process
- A qualified Social Worker carries out a full assessment. He/she visits your home, generally on 6-8 occasions, to meet and collect information about all members of your household and your experience and skills in relation to fostering. The information obtained forms the basis of an assessment report. FCA uses the 'Form F' format – published by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF).
- A training course, based on the Fostering Network’s ‘Skills to Foster’ model, is provided which covers the responsibilities of being a foster carer and working with FCA. All prospective foster carers must attend this training.
- During the assessment process, applicants will be helped to compile a portfolio of written material giving examples of their relevant experience and skills.
6. Fostering Panel
The content of the Form F assessment report, excluding all references, will be shared with you and then presented to an FCA Fostering Panel. To assist in the decision-making process, applicants are expected to attend the Panel meeting.
In Northern Ireland, a Trust Fostering Panel must also be convened to approve and take up registration of foster carers.
Applicants are informed verbally and in writing about the agency decision and if you are approved to become a FCA carer you will be continuously monitored and supported through the Foster Carer Review process.
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