The children placed with our cares have unique and diverse needs. Children need to be looked after for many different reasons, they may have been physically, emotionally or sexually abused, they may have been neglected and as a result some may present behaviour that will require sensitivity and patience.
The children placed with us will all need time and understanding care, as they will be confused and distressed about their separation from their families.
We are often asked to look after unaccompanied minors who will require help in settling in this country and help with languages. We are also frequently asked to look after groups of brothers and sisters so that they can stay together.
Some of the children we care for have special needs and some are unwell. Sometimes we are asked to place a parent and child together. These placements may require special skills and carers will, where appropriate, receive additional training.

Carers must have at least one spare bedroom for fostering and must be available full time to the children they foster. This means that sole carers cannot work and at least one carer in a partnership must be at home. There are some exceptions where a carer is able to demonstrate exceptional flexibility in their work
Carers must be able to work with and welcome a child’s parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters and sometimes other family members, to enable the child to have regular contact with their families.
Foster carers look after all the children they care for as they would members of their own family: this includes taking fostered children on holiday with them and to family gatherings and celebrations.
Before you decide to apply to become a foster carer, you must be sure that you and any other members of your household and family, particularly your children, will be able to cope with the demands made by children in need, their families, and the professionals that are trying to help them.
We are looking for people that can be flexible and work well with a range of different people. Carers must enjoy being with children and young people and be able to understand their needs. It is important to be committed to making a positive difference for children. Enthusiasm and a sense of humour help, too.

You will be supported and supervised by a team of qualified fostering social workers. You will have a named Supervising Social Worker allocated to you and be visited by them at least once a month and phoned at least every other week throughout your time fostering.
You will benefit from our friendly and professional team, helping you every step of the way.
You will have twenty-four hour support from The Foster Care Agency and also have access to a free legal, tax and medical advice line.
You will receive thorough preparation training prior to being approved. Training continues throughout your fostering career and once you have gained some experience you will have the opportunity to complete an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care: Specialising in Children and Young People.
You will be paid a generous allowance, increasing for each year of fostering, to enable you to offer the best care to children. You will also receive an annual bonus, increasing for each year of fostering. Generally, your fostering allowance will not affect the receipt of any benefits and you will not normally pay tax on your allowance.
Placements will be matched to the needs of you and your family and we will get as much information as possible before placing with you.
You will be invited to attend social functions, fun days and support groups where you can meet and chat with other carers.

The assessment process is geared to make sure that applicants are ready to care for children and to make sure that fostering is right for you and your family. Overall, the process should take no more than four months.
We will allocate a social worker to make a full assessment of your suitability and potential strengths as a foster carer. The social worker will see each member of your family and will visit approximately six times. Overall the process should take no more than four months to complete.
We will need to have information about your background, your family and your relationships with different people in your life.
We will look at your potential children care skills and the profiles of children whose needs you could meet.

Most issues discussed early on can usually be resolved and need not be a barrier to fostering.
During the assessment, you will attend a two day preparation course with other potential foster carers and have the opportunity to discuss and explore the complexities and rewards of fostering.

We will ask you to sign consent forms and completed a detailed application form to enable us to take up a range of background checks including:
Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosures (for all members of your household over 16 years of age)

Local authority
Probation, health, education and Department of Health (if applicable)
Mortgage company / Housing provider
Employers
Your own children’s schools
We will also need to see originals of your birth certificate, passport or drivers licence, and marriage and divorce certificates, where appropriate.
We will ask each applicant to provide the name of a family member who is not directly involved in the assessment and two other people that know you well and are willing to act as referees for you. We will ask for written references and we will visit your referees.
You must see your doctor who will provide us with a medical report, if there is a charge, we will pay for this.
You can nominate a back up carer to assist in emergencies: this can be a friend or family member. We will interview this person and make a range of checks including an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure check.

Your assessing social worker will make a detailed report. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the report throughout the assessment. You will be shown a copy of the report and will be able to discuss its contents and correct or clarify factual information.
The Foster Care Agency Panel makes the final recommendation about whether or not you should be approved as a foster carer. You will be given the opportunity to attend the Panel meeting and meet the Panel members in person. Many applicants enjoy this part of the process as the final step before starting fostering.
If you are not approved you will be given the reasons and can appeal against the decision. Sometimes the Panel find that they require more information, in this case a decision is deferred until the additional information is available. If you are approved the Panel will confirm the age group and number of children who will be placed with you.
The process is detailed but we will help you every step of the way.

Following approval we will match appropriate children with your family. We will gather as much information as possible about the child or young person and work with you to agree the placement.
Sometimes there may be limited information about the child who may need to be placed in an emergency. The Foster Care Agency social work team has a great deal of experience and knowledge and we will sometimes ask you to accept a placement at short notice, if we feel it is right for you, your family and the child or young person.
The local authority social worker for any child considered will see your assessment report before placing the child.
You will be fully supported by your Supervising Social Worker from The Foster Care Agency throughout the process and in your care of all children that are placed with you.

If you feel fostering might be for you, then complete and return your completed application form to us. OR PHONE US NOW ON 01273 421991 or 0808 1788 909
In the meantime, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.