How to become a foster carer?
It is exciting that you are looking to become a foster carer. Sunbeam Fostering North West can guide you through the process step by step.
You will always be supported at every stage and receive full information on your fostering journey support.
1. Request a call back
Please get in touch with us by completing the Call Back Request form on the website. Alternatively, you can email us directly at info@sunbeamfosteringnorthwest.com
We will follow up and provide you with a detailed Guide to Fostering that you can read and explore at your convenience.
2. Initial telephone call and discussion
Our team member will contact you for an initial phone call to discuss your interest and early questions and determine whether you are suitable to foster, for example, if you have a spare room. This will only be an initial call, so please don’t feel worried about your response or any questions you may have. After speaking, we can arrange a time for a video call or home visit.
3. Home visit or video call
This would be an extended meeting for up to 2 hours to discuss your interest in fostering further and have a full discussion about your preferences, experience, and the assessment process. We will also discuss all your support from Sunbeam Fostering North West.
We would cover the fostering criteria for becoming carers, what is involved, and every step. This can be a face-to-face meeting at your home or a video call.
4. Application form
Following your initial visit and deciding to become foster carers, we will share an application form for you to complete in your own time. We can help with this and answer any questions. This is the formal start of your fostering application and assessment process.
5. Fostering assessment and Skills to Foster
Following your completion of the fostering application form, you will be allocated a skilled fostering assessor. They will visit you at home (or have video calls) to assess your overall suitability as a foster carer, which is required under the Fostering Regulations.
They will prepare a report (referred to as Form F) covering your background, family information, experiences, skills, and other relevant areas. The process is two-way, and you can ask questions throughout. Your fostering assessment also covers key checks and references, including (but not limited to) DBS, local authority, and personnel.
Alongside your assessment, you will also be invited to complete a training course called “Skills to Foster” which will provide you with an in-depth introduction to fostering. This will be delivered by experienced and skilled trainers from Sunbeam Fostering North West.
6. Attending panel
You will join a fostering panel meeting when your assessment has been completed. This is when you attend to discuss your application to be foster carers, meet the panel members for Sunbeam Fostering North West and any key questions that the panel can ask. The panel is represented by an agency fostering professionals from different backgrounds. You will also be supported; everything will be explained in detail before the panel. Our team will contact you before the panel and cover this with you.
7. Follow up from panel and decision making
After attending the panel, they will recommend your suitability to foster to the agency decision maker (for Sunbeam Fostering North West) based on meeting you and reading the assessment. The aim here is for an independent decision from the decision maker on your approval.
8. Approved as foster carers
You will be newly approved foster carers after the agency decision maker has taken that decision from the panel—congratulations! Your social worker from Sunbeam Fostering North West will then support you, and training can be allocated.
Your social worker will visit you to welcome you to Sunbeam Fostering North West!