The fostering process

Step 1: Initial contact

Make initial contact by telephone or through our registration form. An experienced social worker will call you to have an informal discussion and we will send you out an information pack.

Step 2: Home visit

We will contact you within one weeks and if you are still interested we will then make arrangements for one of our social workers to visit you in your own home to discuss fostering in detail. We will decide with you whether you go forward to the assessment process.

Step 3: Training

The assessment process includes attendance at our ‘Skills to Foster’ training. This takes place over three days (a Friday, Saturday and the following Saturday) or six evening sessions. If you have a partner, then both of you will need to attend the training. Observations of you are carried out by Together Trust social workers involved in the training, and are included in the assessment.

Step 4: Checks and references

If, following the training, you and the Together Trust feel fostering is right for you, we will undertake statutory checks and personal references, including police checks, personal and employment references and medicals.

Step 5: Assessment report

A qualified social worker will undertake an assessment. The social worker will visit you at home approximately eight times - this could be more or less depending on your circumstances. The assessment will involve discussing many personal details with you. The social worker will also meet with your personal referees, members of your household and any adult children you have living away from home. A report will be prepared by the social worker that you will read and make comments on.

Step 6: Fostering Panel

The Panel consists of a group of ten people who have a wide range of professional and personal experience of Fostering or looking after children. The Panel receives a copy of your assessment report before the meeting to allow time to consider this carefully. The Together Trust actively encourages applicants to attend the Panel, as we believe this further supports your application. The Panel will make a recommendation based on the information within the assessment and references received. The recommendation is then sent to the Agency Decision Maker.

Step 7: Agency Decision Maker

The Agency Decision Maker at the Together Trust is the Director of Social Care. They make the decision as to whether you are approved as a foster carer. Their decision is based on the assessment and the panel discussion and recommendation.

Step 8: Non-approval

If you are not approved as a foster carer you have the right to appeal the decision and appeals can be made to the Agency Decision Maker or you may make representation to an independent body called the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM).

Step 9: Approval

If approved you will receive a letter within 14 days informing you of your success. You will be allocated a supervising social worker who will visit you and discuss the next steps.