A step by step guide to becoming a Newham foster carer
What happens when I apply?
- You will take part in assessment and training
- You will need to provide references and have a health check. We will carry out a police check
- Our aim is that the assessment process will take no longer than four to six months from the date we receive your completed application form.
A step by step guide to becoming a Newham foster carer
Step One - Once your initial enquiry is received we will speak to you and answer any questions you may have about fostering in Newham and ask you about your circumstances. If you then decide you want to be a foster carer, and you meet our basic criteria, we will then arrange an initial home visit.
Step Two - At the initial visit we will run through in detail what we are looking for in a foster carer. You will be able to ask any questions about fostering a child and the assessment process. We will then complete an application form with you if you are considered suitable to proceed to full assessment.
Step Three - Your completed application form is the start of your formal application to become a foster carer.
Step Four - The assessment process begins with taking up checks and references. These include employment, medical and police checks. Personal references will also be taken from your friends and family on your suitability to foster a child. These checks are a legal requirement and are to safeguard the children.
Step Five - You will be invited to attend a preparation group. This preparation training gives you an opportunity to meet other prospective foster carers and explore in detail what it means to you and your family to foster a child. You can attend the preparation group at any time throughout the assessment process, but we would prefer if this is at the beginning of your assessment. The preparation group forms part of your assessment.
Step Six - The process continues until your assessment report (this is called a Form F) is completed and presented to the Fostering Panel by your assessing social worker. The Fostering Panel consists of a group of professionals from health care and social work backgrounds and independent people who have experience of fostering or the care system.
You are invited to attend the Panel. The Panel's role is to consider the report and decide whether to recommend your approval as a Newham foster carer. Their recommendation is then passed to the Agency Decision Maker, the Head of Service for Children, Young People & Families, who will make the final decision on behalf of the service.
Step Seven - The Agency Decision Maker confirms the Fostering Panel's recommendation and you are now an approved foster carer.
Our aim is that the above assessment process will take no longer than four to six months from the date we receive your completed application form.
Step Eight - Once you have been approved as a Newham foster carer, you will be allocated your own social worker from the Fostering Support Team who will support you in your fostering career. The children or young people that you will be caring for will have their own social worker. Your details will also be passed to our Placements and Monitoring team. This is the team that will that will be matching you with a child or children that need a foster placement.
Step Nine - When you first become a foster carer, we will pay you a setting up grant to make sure you are properly equipped for a child, and when a child or young person is placed with you, you will be paid a weekly allowance to cover costs. In addition, we pay foster carers a weekly fee for their services, a fee that increases as you develop your knowledge, skills and experience. We offer an extensive training and development programme to all foster carers.
We will support you all the way
Becoming a foster carer is so rewarding but it can be challenging, so Newham has a good support system in place. This includes:
- Continuous back-up from a supervising social worker
- An extensive ongoing training programme
- An NVQ-recognised qualification
- Newham's Foster Carer's handbook