The steps to becoming an approved foster carer

To become an approved foster carer, there are 5 key steps:

Step 1

  • gather information about fostering
  • attend an information session (optional)

Step 2

  • have an initial home visit where a worker will gather information about what you might be able to offer a child or young person
  • attend skills to foster training

Step 3

  • complete an application pack
  • stage 1 of your assessment starts which takes around 2 months to complete
  • you’re allocated a social worker who’ll be alongside you throughout
  • we verify your references and any checks including DBS and medical

Step 4

  • stage 2 of your assessment starts which takes around 4 months to complete - this considers your home, your circumstances and your social worker identifying strengths
  • the Fostering panel considers your application and makes a recommendation about suitability to foster
  • the Agency Decision Maker (ADM) considers your application and panel’s recommendation and decides if you should be approved as suitable to foster

Step 5

  • after panel’s recommendation and the decision maker’s decision, you’d be approved foster carers for City of York Council and your fostering journey begins
Fees calculator

Fees calculator

Our fees calculator will give you an estimate of the level of payment you might receive.

Fees calculator