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