The Assessment Process (Part 1)
Could you foster Jerome?
We are looking for foster carers for Jerome. Could you be his new foster carers? Why not find out more?
The details on foster carer assessments are covered in our next six information pages. You are able to download a copy of the entire contents of these pages that you can print out. The link to this file is on the last assessment page
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Introduction
Deciding to foster a child is a big step. Naturally, potential foster carers are apprehensive about what an assessment entails, and in order to lessen this anxiety we believe in being as open as possible about the whole process. For this reason the coverage given to this topic is quite detailed and lengthy.
Social services departments or independent fostering agencies carry out foster carer assessments. Whilst each of these departments and agencies will differ slightly in how they conduct the assessment process there are many aspects governed by the Children's Act that they all must follow.
It might be helpful to take a brief overview of the various stages potential foster carers go through during the assessment process. Please bear in mind that the following is a generalisation and that not every agency (social services department or other fostering agency) will always fit this pattern.
The First Step
Assuming that you fulfil the department or fostering agencies basic criteria (e.g. on health, your accommodation has the physical space for a child, etc.) and are deemed after a brief interview or discussion on the telephone to be a potential candidate, you will probably be invited along to an introductory meeting on foster care. This meeting will give you the opportunity to find out quite a bit more about fostering and to ask as many questions as you want about the whole process. At the meeting you can start to find out how the agency conducts their assessments and gain a very rough idea of the likely timescale should you choose to apply.
You should also use this opportunity to find out what the agency is looking for in prospective foster carers, how foster care becomes the plan for some children, and what are the 'typical' difficulties and frustrations applicants face, etc. If at the conclusion of the meeting or shortly afterwards you wish to pursue your interest further you may be invited to attend a 'preparation for foster carers group'.
The Preparation for Fostering Group
These groups consist of prospective foster carers like yourself and agency staff, and exist to acquaint you with the range of issues surrounding fostering and foster care. These groups tend to meet between 4 to 6 times, usually spaced over several weeks. You will usually get the opportunity to meet experienced foster carers, and you may well have the chance to listen to visiting specialist speakers. The groups are a chance for you to question your own attitudes and beliefs in relation to children and fostering. They are also a chance for staff to start to get to know you.
After the sessions you may be asked to think about your application a bit more, and then confirm your willingness to continue. Most will not accept your application immediately, they want you to go home and to think about all you have seen and heard and to discuss the issues with your partner (if applicable) as well as family and friends.
Home Visits
The next stage, should you decide to continue is when you begin to receive 'home visits' from a social worker. The social worker will talk to members of your household both individually and together during these visits.
Bear in mind throughout this stage that the entire assessment process is not solely about deciding whether or not you will make 'suitable' foster carer/s) - it is also about providing you with information in order that you can decide whether or not becoming a foster carer is right for you and your family.
The primary purpose of these home visits is to build up a comprehensive profile of you and the parenting environment you can provide, and to determine the type of child(ren) whose needs you will best meet. Most social workers will assess your suitability to be a foster carer using a document often referred to as the "Form F".
Throughout this stage and in co-operation with you, your social worker will start to fill in your Form F. Upon completion if there are any points of disagreement between you and your social worker they can be recorded. Finally, having read and agreed to what has been written, all sign the document.
Over the next few pages we shall examine the assessment procedure, and in particular the structure and content of the form F which, once completed, is the major part of a final report that is submitted to the panel.
It is important to point out that your social worker's role is to assist you through the process, and to identify your needs and abilities to see if these can be matched to children who are likely to need to be fostered. Ideally you will build up a close and honest relationship with your social worker, and the finalised Form F will reflect this, being arrived at by mutual agreement.
The whole process, from first home visit to being presented to the Panel for consideration, can take anywhere from about 6 months to over a year, depending on the department or agency, and on such things as how long you had to wait for the Panel meeting to consider your application.
More information on foster carer assessment are on our following pages.
