blog

blog
January 14, 2025

The Year You Start Fostering?

Whatever your individual situation, could 2025 be the year you change your life AND the lives of some amazing children? Could 2025 be the year you start fostering?
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blog
December 31, 2024

A Year to Reflect

As we close the chapter on another remarkable year at Footprints Foster Care, it gives us time to reflect on the journey of our twelfth year providing a service to our local community.
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Footprints Foster Care - Life as a child in care - Schooling
blog
November 26, 2024

Life as a child in care – Schooling

Children in care have a higher chance of finding school a challenge. When one has come from a background of neglect or abuse, there is a higher chance of displaying behavioural issues at home and in school.
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blog
November 15, 2024

New Collaboration with Sunbeam Fostering

In October 2024 Footprints Foster Care joined forces with Sunbeam Fostering Agency, with a view to continue to develop and grow our service across the communities we serve in Dorset and the surrounding areas.
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Footprints Foster Care - The 12 Days of Fostering Christmas
blog
November 14, 2024

The 12 Days of Fostering Christmas

A Cup of Positivity. We admit fostering at Christmas can be challenging. However, we also know that watching a child experience new things, find confidence and grow in a loving home can make everything worthwhile.
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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 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 an 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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