How do I foster?

The process

1. If you haven't already, take 2 minutes to fill out an enquiry form.
2. We will email you a brochure containing information on fostering in Warwickshire.
3. We will call you to gather more details and discuss your interest in fostering. We will give you more details about what is involved and together we will decide if we should arrange a home visit. We will confirm this by email and send you some more information to read before we come.
4. We will come to your home for an initial visit provides you with an opportunity to discuss your own personal circumstances and gives you a chance to ask questions. We will then reach a decision about next steps and making an application.
5. You then need to complete an application form and consent to references which can be done via email and post.
6. You will be allocated an assessing social worker who will complete your assessment over 8-10 sessions in your home with you and your family to build a picute of your suitability to foster.
7. During the assessment we will undertake a range of references including a DBS check, GP medical and 3 personal references. We may ask for a variety of references including ex-partners you have lived with and your employer.
8. While the references are being taken up you will be invited to attend a 2-day course called Journey to Foster which offers you an opportunity to learn more about fostering. 
9. When your assessment, references and training are complete, all of your documentation is presented to Fostering Panel which you will be invited to attend. The Fostering Panel makes a recommendation to our Agency Decision Maker who has the final say.
10. You will then have an induction and be allocated a Fostering Social Worker who will offer you support and guidance as you take your next steps on your fostering journey.  

We aim for your assessment to be completed within 4-6 months of your application. This can seem a long period of time, but often the references and assessment sessions can take a while. We also need to make sure that we have all of the information we need, to make sure we get the right people to become Warwickshire foster carers.