The steps to a fostering career
Fostering, like any career is a journey, one that involves many stages. No two journeys will be the same and you will continue to learn as you follow this career path.
If at any stage in your decision to become a foster carer, you need any thing clarified or explained, no matter how trivial you think it is, please feel free to call your nearest office and speak to someone, we're here to help. In general, it takes approximately four months to become a registered Foster Carer with Pathway Care, sometimes, because of certain circumstances or delays in checks this may take a little longer. Once you have decided that you want to become a foster carer and an initial visit has taken place with one of our recruitment officers, then the steps are as follows;
Step 1.
Fostering Assessment
The assessment process to become a foster carer involves a thorough look at your life. The Supervising Socal Worker is highly skilled and experienced in undertaking these assessments and will support you every step of the way. The assessment process is a way of identifying and highlighting the many skills and personal qualities you can bring to a career in fostering.We will require your consent to undertake checks on you and your family with the following agencies:
- Criminal Records Bureau
- Local Authorities and other agencies
We will also require a full medical check from your GP.You will be asked to provide three referees (non family members) who can comment on your suitability to become a foster carer.
Step 2.
Preparation to Foster Training
Before a child is placed in your care you will attend an intensive preparation to foster training course, this will give you the opportunity to learn more about fostering, the situations that may arise and the correct actions to take. It will also give you the opportunity to meet other local people who are also going through the fostering process.
Step. 3
Foster Care Panel
Once the assessment is complete, an independent panel will review your assessment and recommendations will be made. After a successful outcome at panel you will be a registered foster carer with Pathway Care.
What our carers say about the assessment process and going to panel.
Dean & Cynthia talk about the Assessment process
As a child I had been fostered, so I knew the importance of having good foster carers. Although I'm the main carer, becoming a foster carer is a decision that the whole family has to take, because it is a decision that will affect everyone living in the house. Both Dean and myself discussed at length with the children why we wanted to foster and what they thought of the idea. The assessment process is very thorough and took us about six months to complete. You will need to be prepared for many questions, going right back into your past, asking about previous relationships and experiences. I found it quite an enlightening and at times emotional experience. All in all, I think we had about thirteen visits from the social worker who was carrying out our assessment. She will talk to everyone who lives in your house, including your children.
Checks are made with the social services department and for all members of the household aged over sixteen. Checks are also carried out with the Criminal records Bureau. You also have to undergo a medical exam from your local GP. Initially, I found it a bit of a nerve wrecking time, I don't know why, but you just feel a little worried that something may go wrong. The social worker was great though, always there to ask any questions and when I needed it, reassure me.
Kevin and Hannah talk about going to Panel
I can remember being very nervous on the day of panel, we had undergone four months of assessment and completed the three day preparation to foster course so we were keen to get started. We needn't have worried though, the panel which is made up of about six people just asked us a few questions and reviewed our assessment records, we then officially became foster carers. Three weeks later we had our first child, four years later and we've had six children through our doors. With all the children I try and introduce normality and security back into their lives. My advice to anyone thinking of fostering is to go into it with your eyes open. Accept you are not the child's parent but their carer and understand the role you play in their life. You will need to be diplomatic and understanding.
We've gained so much from being foster carers. It hasn't always been easy but we wouldn't change any of it.
Without our foster carers we wouldn't be able to do our job and many young people would miss out on the chance of a better future. Pathway Care appreciates the effort and dedication that its carers provide and continually seeks to work, listen and respond to their needs and concerns.
