HOW TO BECOME A FOSTER CARER

BECOMING A FOSTER CARER

Fostering is a rewarding journey that gives you the opportunity to make a real difference in a child's life. As a foster carer, you'll provide a safe and supportive home, welcoming a child as part of your family and helping them feel secure and valued.

The assessment process ensures you have the right skills and environment for fostering. It typically takes around four months and includes training, background checks, and home visits. To become a foster carer, you'll need a spare bedroom for the child and a commitment to providing care, stability, and guidance.

If you're passionate about caring for a child and ready to take the first step, we're here to support you every step of the way.

STEP ONE

How to become a Foster Carer. After an initial discussion over the phone we gather some basic information to help start assessing your suitability and what type of fostering might best suit you.

STEP TWO

A member of the team will visit you at home to discuss fostering in more detail, and look at the space you have available for a foster child. We can also answer any questions you may have.

STEP THREE

If we both agree that the assessment should proceed, the social worker will complete an application and you will embark on a comprehensive assessment. The assessment explores your background, experiences, parenting skills and the qualities you will bring to fostering.

Together with the social worker you will provide evidence of your ability to care for children or young people. The assessment will also involve talking to your children, any adult children who have left home and ex-partners where applicable. We will complete reference checks via your local authority, and ask you to provide three personal referees

STEP FOUR

You will also be invited to attend a three-day preparation course for prospective foster carers which is part of the assessment. This training will cover a variety of topics in order to prepare you for the fostering task. Other checks, such as DBS (Disclosure and barring service) and health assessments will also be undertaken.

STEP FIVE

The fostering panel is a group of lay people and professionals who will consider the assessment and make the decision on whether you will be approved as a foster carer. Once you are approved we will match you to the most suitable child/children for you.

CONTACT

If you would like to speak us about how to become a foster carer contact us, you can do so in a variety of ways.
Send us an email, give us a call or say hello on social media!

If you have any questions about fostering, do not hesitate to ask us and we will provide you with all the information you need. Ascent Fostering has over 30 years of experience in fostering children and our team can support you every step of the way.

Call Us: 020 3757 0070
Email Us: hello@ascentfostering.com

ADDRESS

Ascent Fostering Agency
Hillcrest House
51 Woodcote Road
Wallington
SM6 0LT