The process starts when you apply to become a foster parent and finishes with a decision from the fostering service. The process can take up to 8 months to complete.
Steps 2 to 6 might happen in a different order.
You apply to become a foster parent through your local council or an independent fostering agency. You can only register with one fostering service.
The council or agency asks you to go to a preparation course on fostering.
You and every adult that lives with you will need to pass an enhanced with barred lists Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
A social worker assesses you and your family to check that you’re able to care for a child.
You state any preferences about the children you’ll care for, like age or gender. You cannot choose a child out of a group of children and you do not get a trial period with a foster child.
The fostering service reviews your application. You’ll need to meet with their panel who will make a recommendation.
The fostering service makes a decision on your application.