Steps to Becoming a Foster Carer

Please contact us and we can discuss your enquiry and interest in fostering. This can cover key areas including:

• Fostering criteria and profile
• Benefits and support for fostering
• Outcomes for children and young persons achieved
• Safeguarding areas and information
• Your frequently asked questions

We would like to share your enquiry with our foster carer recruitment team, which is based locally in the Northwest. They would then contact you for an Initial Visit to discuss your interest and cover everything above in more detail.

If you decide fostering is right for you, you will receive an Application Form to complete, and you can apply to be a foster carer. Guidance will be provided on any questions. The form provides all your personal, career, family, and other fostering information.

If you return this to us at Sunbeam Fostering Northwest.

You will be allocated a skilled assessor (a social worker qualified) to complete your fostering assessment.

This uses a template format referred to as “Form F.” Your assessor will visit you and spend time with you over several meetings. They will explore all your reasons for fostering, motivate you, and ensure that it is right for you. The assessment will cover your life, family, health and well-being, employment, and other areas. Please consider your preferred approval terms on the age of the children you wish to support and any specific needs.

When your assessment progresses, all your checks and references will be completed alongside this. You will also be invited to attend “Skills to Foster” training to prepare you for fostering. This is with other fostering applicants, and you can share experiences.

The assessment will be conducted over three to six months.

You will be ready for the panel when your assessment is complete and all your checks and references (including a review) have been received. You will be supported here, and your assessor will discuss what is involved. The meeting with the panel will discuss your application to foster and cover relevant questions together.

Following your meeting, the panel will recommend you to the “agency decision maker.” The final decision will then be made, and you will become a foster carer!

The following steps are your induction, welcome, and planning for further training.

This is an overview of your process to become a foster carer. Please contact us for further details, and we can discuss this with you. We would love to progress your enquiry and welcome you to the Sunbeam Fostering Northwest family!