Footprints Foster Care - The journey back to school

The journey back to school

It’s time to prepare – especially if you’re a foster carer. Join us on the journey back to school and we’ll try to make it as smooth as possible.
Footprints Foster Care - Creating Positivity

Creating Positivity

If you’d like any more advice on the benefits of art or want to talk through anything fostering, please contact us. We’ll even let you doodle while we chat.
Footprints Foster Care - The Cost of Not Living

The Cost of Not Living

Foster children may have experience of homes with little to nothing. They may associate money worries with abuse, alcoholism or instability and be fearful.
Footprints Foster Care - Hip Hip Hooray!

Hip Hip Hooray!

Fostering is fantastic job, but it takes a level of hard work, love and care. we think being a foster carer is a lot like being the Queen.
Footprints Foster Care - Under Exam Conditions

Under Exam Conditions

You can always contact us if you want to talk anything through. We’re here for you and your foster child as you live under exam conditions.

Stage One Contact & home visit


Please do not be anxious about contacting us
– we promise not to put you under any pressure. We are happy to answer your questions and we need to ask questions to make sure that you meet some basic criteria, such as do you have a spare bedroom and live in the right area?
Assuming that these basic criteria are met and you are happy to proceed, we will arrange to come and meet you at your home.
The home visit usually lasts 1-2 hours and gives both parties the chance to ask lots of questions. We find out more about you and you find out more about us and what we can offer. If everyone is happy to proceed you will be given an foster care application form to complete.
If however, having found out more about fostering, you decide that you do not wish to proceed, then do not feel embarrassed to say so. We will also be honest and let you know if we do not feel it is in your interests to proceed.

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Stage Two Assessment


If you decide to proceed, you will complete foster care application form and go into the assessment process. This can take between 3–6 months and is undertaken by a qualified social worker.
It is a thorough process and one which helps people understand what has shaped their lives, prepares them for the challenge of fostering and determines their motivation to foster. As part of this process, we will also undertake statutory checks and personal references, including police checks, personal and employment references and medicals.
The social worker will also meet with your personal referees, members of your household and any adult children you have living away from home to ensure they fully support your intentions to foster.

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Stage Three Initial Training


During the assessment period, you will have the opportunity to attend the Skills to Foster™ course that provides the foundation for future learning and development, as well as giving you the confidence to undertake your first placement.
You will also be required to complete a portfolio of evidence to support your assessment.

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Stage Four Fostering Panel


After stage 3 has been completed, your assessment and portfolio will be presented to a Fostering Panel. The panel is made of experienced social work practitioners and independent members, who will have carefully considered the report in advance of the panel.
You and your assessor will both attend the fostering panel to enable panel members to meet you, address any points for clarification and hear any final questions you may have.
If the panel is satisfied the requirements regarding your suitability to foster are met, they will make a recommendation to approve you as a foster carer.
The ultimate decision to approve lies with the agency decision maker, who will carefully consider the recommendation made by the fostering panel.

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