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The Assessment Process

 Initial Interview

Following receipt of your information pack, a Social Worker from the Fostering and Adoption Team will undertake a home visit to discuss your application further and to explore with you your reasons for applying to foster and any child care experience you may have.  The worker will compile a short report following this visit and will include a recommendation to the Assistant Principal Officer of whether you wish to proceed to the next stage of assessment, the Preparatory Group.

Preparatory Groups

Preparatory Groups are held over two Saturdays and two evenings and cover a wide range of issues about being a carer for an accommodated child.  The Preparatory Groups will begin to consider include issues surrounding Fostering and the Law, Separation and Loss, and the impact of abuse and neglect for the accomodated child.

 

These Preparatory Groups are an important part of the assessment process and it is expected that all applicants attend.

Home Study

This is the longest part of the procedure as it can take up to six months from the signing of the application form to presentation at the Fostering Panel.  The Home Study Report is very detailed as we must be sure that you can offer a safe and caring home to a child or young person.  It is also an opportunity for you to think about whether you really want to become a carer – and if so, what type of fostering would suit you best.

 

The assessing Social Worker will visit you a number of times to talk in detail about the qualities you will need and for you to demonstrate your skills and experiences.  He or she may also want to talk to your wider family and any other people who are important to your support network.  Together you will work out how many children you could foster and what ages.  Your assessing Social Worker will also undertake a variety of detailed checks, including Police and Health Checks.

 

Child wearing winter coat and scarf

In doing this Home Study Report your assessing social worker will build up a detailed picture of your strengths and abilities, your home life, your relationship (if you are applying as a couple) and the commitment you could give to a child.  You will have the opportunity to find out more about the rewards and reality of fostering.

 

Finally, the assessing Social Worker brings all this information together into a report on your potential as a foster carer.  Once the assessing Social Worker has completed the report, you will receive a visit from the manager responsible for Fostering and Adoption Services who will complete a further brief report on you for the Fostering Panel.  You will have the opportunity to read these reports and add your own comments.

Fostering Panel

The last stage in the approval process is for the assessing Social Worker to present his/her assessment to the Fostering Panel along with any other relevant information that may assist the Panel in making a decision.  You will be invited to attend the Panel.  Although your assessing Social Worker will be with you, you may also bring along a family member or friend for support.

 

The Panel chairperson has a background in childcare and fostering.  The panel members all have a great deal of relevant experience.  They include current foster carers, an adoptive carer, educational staff, a medical advisor and senior social work staff with experience in child care.

 

It is their task to consider all the information, to talk with you and your assessing Social Worker, then to decide whether to recommend you for approval to the Director of Social Work Services, who then makes the final decision. You will be advised as soon as possible what recommendations the Panel have made to the Director of Social Work Services.

 

Your assessing Social Worker will advise you within 24 hours of the Panel’s recommendation.

 

The Director of Social Work Services will write to you within twenty-one days to advise you of his decision.