I’m interested in Fostering!

Call us on 0845 155 1013 or email us  and we'll send you an information pack. Then if you want to know more, come to an Information Evening - details will be in the pack.

Information Evenings

There will be other people there too, all interested in finding out more about Fostering for Devon.

There will be tea and coffee and lots of opportunities to ask questions.

A fostering social worker will explain about why some children need looking after and about the different types of fostering. You’ll hear about how you become a foster carer and how long it takes. An experienced foster carer will be on hand to tell you about what it’s really like to foster, the highs and lows, and the impact on your life and family.

At the end of the evening you’ll be given a form that asks if you would like to be visited at home by a social worker. You’ll then be contacted by them to arrange a convenient time to see you

Home Visits – what to expect

Visits usually last about 2 hours! The social worker will look around your home and meet your partner if you have one and other members of the household/family, including any pets!

There will be the opportunity for more questions from you and the chance to look in detail at the approval process in becoming a foster carer, for example, the CRB police checks, medicals and references we need and the confidentiality with which information you provide is treated., We will ask you why you want to foster.

You will fill in an application form and give us the names of two personal referees who know your family really well

Assessment and Preparation

This usually will take 3 – 6 months. A fostering social worker will be allocated to you and you will complete a detailed report with you, about you, your home, your circumstances and your background.

As part of your preparation you will join other potential foster carers on a training course which is usually spread over 4 days. You will learn more about fostering and can meet some of the other professionals involved in the care of looked after children.

Approval

Finally the report is presented to the fostering panel who decide whether or not to approve you as a foster carer.

Not sure if the time is right or if fostering is really for you?

If at any time during the process you decide not to go ahead just let us know. We too will let you know if we do not think fostering is right for you and will explain the reasons why.

Can Anyone Foster?
We would like to hear from people from all kinds of backgrounds. No formal qualifications are needed as long as you can show you have a mature and responsible attitude and enough energy! Whether you are single, married or cohabitating and from any ethnic background.

However, you cannot become a foster carer if you have been convicted of any offence against a child.