Foster Care Application Form | Application Process

What is involved in the fostering assessment?

Once we have accepted your application form we undertake a fostering assessment which helps us identify your skills, experiences and qualities, collating information about you such as; your home, childhood, your family, children, current and previous relationships and your health. This information will be put together in a report called a Form F.

There are a number of stages within the fostering assessment and these are:

Social work visits

Background checks

Personal and professional references

Preparatory training

The Form F report is presented to an independent fostering panel who will make a recommendation on whether you are suitable to foster. The process takes between four to six months, however, timescales can very much vary and do depend on your personal circumstances and availability.

During the fostering assessment process all of our foster carers complete pre-approval training during that explores:

Next Steps on their journey to become a foster carer

What it is like to be a child or young person in foster care

Knowledge and skills required to prepare them to be foster carers

Social work visits

The social worker responsible for your fostering assessment will visit you and your family at home several times, this is usually between 8 – 10 times. The things they’ll need to know more about will include your childhood, past relationships, work history, health, family and personal interests. You will also need to identify your support network

The fostering assessment also includes a safety check on your home and any pets you have. Your social worker will visit the family members and friends you’ve nominated as referees. Based on all of this information, the Form F document will be completed. Before the Form F report is submitted you will see a copy.

References and checks

The application process involves a number of references and checks, including:

A Disclosure Scotland check for anyone in the fostering household aged 16 years and over

A medical report from your GP

Written references from at least three personal referees and ex-partner checks

Educational references for any children in your home

Previous employer or foster care agency references

Local authority checks

Home safety checks, including any pet assessments

The next steps

Once the Form F report is complete, your social worker will help you prepare for the fostering panel. This is a group of independent fostering professionals who will consider your assessment and make a recommendation regarding your approval as a foster carer. Once you are approved to be a foster carer your fostering journey will begin.

If you have any questions about the application process, or you are interested in becoming a foster carer, just call us on 0141 646 4805, we’re always ready to help! You can also complete our short enquiry form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Other steps on your journey to fostering

Checks and references

During your fostering application process, we carry out a number of crucial and essential checks and references.

Pre-approval training

We want to help you become the best foster carer you can be, which is why we offer quality pre-approval training.

Panel

Before you join our FCA Scotland family, you’ll need to be approved by our fostering panel first.

Your first foster child

Here at FCA Scotland we know that once you’re an approved foster carer you’ll want to start fostering as soon as possible!

Matching and referrals

Matching is a critical part of the fostering process as it defines the success of the placement.

Speak to our team

Whether you’re ready to start your journey or just want to chat to an expert, we’re here to talk.

Enquiry Form

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