Happy New Year! We hope it’s got off to a good start for you, but however 2025 has gone so far, there’s a whole year of potential ahead. Will you make the most of it?
Maybe you started strong with a few new year’s resolutions, but they haven’t made it this far. If you did, you’re not alone. The social media network-cum-online activity tracking company, Strava has officially named the second Friday in January as Quitter’s Day, aka the day most of us will have given up on our resolutions by. This year, that was last week. So, if your goals are toast, don’t stress -there are plenty of other slices keeping you company in that loaf of bread.
But like we said, there’s a whole year ahead to have a blast, make a change and live your best life. So, whether your resolutions are still going strong or not, the possibilities are endless. Any day can be a great day to start something. Like your fostering journey. Perhaps you’ve been thinking about being a foster carer for a while, but never got round to applying or perhaps your circumstances are finally right? Perhaps you hadn’t even considered it until you read this blog? 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?
A recent report from Ofsted revealed that last year 4,055 fostering households were approved, but there was still a net decrease of 765. This continues a sad trend over the past few years and highlights the need for carers now more than ever. There could definitely be room for you in our Footprints family!
So, why foster? The chance to have a genuinely rewarding career and make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable children and support your community. Oh and you get to be supported by lovely professionals like us, plus receive a generous fostering allowance which will usually be tax-free.
If you’d like more of a flavour of fostering before taking the plunge, we’ve put together these FAQs:
Who Can Foster? Carers come from all walks of life, all you need to be considered is to be over 21, be in good health, be able to provide stability and care and have a spare bedroom. You’ll also need to be able to pass an enhanced DBS check.
What Types of Fostering Are There? Not just one! We offer a range of fostering opportunities including short and long term, parent and child, solo, sibling and respite. The latter of which is perfect if you can’t commit to a full time placement and would rather be flexible.
How Much Is the Allowance? The minimum amount set by the government in England ranges from £137 to £200 per week per child, depending on their needs. However, as an independent agency, we are able to offer more than local authorities – up to £500 per child.
What Does the Application Process Look Like? The process can be broken down into four stages – initial contact and a home visit, an assessment taking place over 3-6 months, training and finally the fostering panel. Throughout the whole process you will be under no pressure to continue, in fact we’d like you to be honest if you’ve changed your mind. Equally, we’ll be kind and honest if we feel fostering isn’t in your best interest.
For any other information, or to make that initial step, please do contact us – we’d love to hear from you and see about welcoming you into our fantastic family. Will 2025 be the year you make a real change and start fostering?
Footprints Foster Care Ltd
Registered Company No 07879639
Longham Business Park
168 Ringwood Road
Ferndown
Dorset BH22 9BU
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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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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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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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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