Steps to Foster
1. Telephone Enquiry
2. Your Initial Visit
- Your first step will be to submit your details using the form below. This is your chance to ask us questions, and we’re here to answer them as quickly as possible! Whether you decide to get in touch with us online or over the phone (01159792515), one of our friendly team members will be in contact with you within 24 hours to have an informal chat and arrange a meeting to gather more information.
2. Your Initial Visit
2. Your Initial Visit
- After completing stage one we will arrange a home visit to view your home and discuss suggestions on how you can prepare your home for fostering.
3. Your Fostering Assessment
- If the outcome of your Initial Visit is positive, we’ll create a Form F Assessment for you. This is a focused assessment that looks at different aspects of your life, such as education, parenting, motivation and your support network. This process can take 3-6 months in total to complete.
4. Your Skills to Foster
6. Your First Foster Child
- During your assessment, you will be invited to attend relevant courses such as a 3-day Skills to Foster training course. This is to ensure you’re equipped with the skills and knowledge to always provide exceptional care for our children. It is led by one of our experienced Social Workers, as well as one of our existing foster carers.
5. Your Fostering Panel
6. Your First Foster Child
6. Your First Foster Child
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- The final step in the assessment process is the Fostering Panel, that consists of a number of professionals with a range of skills and experience in caring for children. During the panel, you’ll be asked a series of questions about your reasons for deciding to foster. After the panel, the professionals will decide whether to approve you as a carer.
6. Your First Foster Child
6. Your First Foster Child
6. Your First Foster Child
- If your panel is successful, it will mark the beginning of your journey as a valued member of the Fostering Dimensions family, as one of our newly approved foster carers. Your Supervising Social worker and placement officer will work closely with you, using the information we have about you, to find the best match for your very first foster child. We're here to support you every step of the way.