Foster Care - Is there an assessment process?

We have a duty to ensure that children who need to be looked after are cared for by people who are safe and whose interest in them will promote their welfare. We will help you to understand more about the fostering task and, in the process, find out about how you and your family work together. In the assessment we discuss your own childhood and adult experiences and your lifestyle. We take up a number of references and prepare a report which is discussed at our Fostering Panel. The panel makes the decision about which type of caring you are most suited to.

Your Questions

• Why do Children Need to be Fostered?
• Are there Different Kinds of Fostering?
• Who Can Foster?
• Is there an Assessment Process?
• How Long Does it all Take?
• Why is Equality and Diversity Important?
• What Support and Training will I Have?
• Do Foster Carers Get Paid?
• Fostering - What do I do Next?
• Comments from Children and Carers