Fostering carer application FAQ's - answers to foster carer application questions

Ok this is great news. So you’re considering joining our team as a foster carer and you want to know how do you become a foster carer? The process of becoming an approved foster carer with us all starts with an informal telephone conversation with our friendly fostering team. You can call them on 0121 352 1844 once you’re ready to get started. We’ll talk to you about fostering, answer any questions you or your family may have, and discuss the next steps with you.

The foster carer application process can take anywhere from three and six months to complete. That may sound a long time, but if you ask a foster carer, we’re sure they will tell you the time flew by. That’s because it’s an exciting time. Before you know it, you will be joining us for your initial foster carer training, and not long after, your foster carer assessment will be presented to our panel for a decision. If you think you’re ready to join our team, call us on 0121 352 1844.

Every one of our prospective foster carers are allocated an assessing social worker. Your assessing social worker will be your main point of contact throughout the application process. Working together, you and your social worker will complete a Form F assessment, which will later be shown to our fostering panel for a decision on your suitability to foster. Every step of the way, your assessing social worker will be on hand to support both you and your family.

Deciding to foster is a decision you and your family make together. If you change your mind during the application process, and decide that fostering is not for you, we would support your decision. If your circumstances change, but you would still like to foster, your assessing social worker will discuss the process through with you.