You should expect the assessment to take up to five months and be prepared to talk openly about your life.

We will also require your permission for a number of checks and references.

We understand that the path to becoming a foster carer may seem like a lengthy and intrusive process, but we need this information to assess your ability to care for children who may have experienced abuse or rejection. We need to protect them from further abuse while helping them develop physically, emotionally and intellectually.

The Path to becoming a Foster Carer

After your initial enquiry, you will be visited by a social worker from the Fostering Recruitment Team. If you are a couple, we will require both of you to be present. The social worker will give you information about fostering and will ask questions to find out more about you and your family.

We need to assess both whether you have time in your life and space in your home to foster, as well as your motivation and the views of other members of your family, particularly your children.