What is the fostering process?
How to apply to become a foster carer
Perhaps you are wondering how to apply to become a foster carer? If you’ve brushed up your knowledge on the foster care requirements and you know the implications of what it means to become a foster carer, it could be time for you to contact the team at Ikon Fostering.
Recruitment 07928 666121
How the process works
Once you have expressed an interest in fostering; your suitability to care for children and young people will be assessed. As part of this thorough process we provide training to help you consider your own strengths and skills. The Skills to Foster training course (pre-approval training) is mandatory and any further training is undertaken following your approval.
Call us or complete an online enquiry form Ikon will contact you for an initial discussion and arrange for an enquiry form to be completed over the phone or online. If the enquiry is positive a worker will call you to book an appointment to come out and see you if you wish to proceed further with your enquiry.
A member of Ikon’s recruitment team will visit to discuss fostering with you further, to gather some background information about you and your family and to check you have appropriate bedroom space in your home .They will discuss any other Health & Safety related issues.
You will begin your assessment including checks, references and a medical. You will be advised and supported by a member of our team who will act as your guide throughout the initial parts of the process.
You will allocated an assessing social worker. They will be working with you throughout the assessment process. The whole assessment will look to capture all of your fostering knowledge and past experiences. this will help us get to know you very well.
All prospective Foster Carers are provided with three days of SKILLS TO FOSTER training, prior to assessment. This program covers every aspect of the role of a Foster Carer, and is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to assist them in their role as Foster Carers. This is our most well established and highly acclaimed training package that has over the years inspired and produced some of our most highly skilled foster carers to date.
Following completion of your training and fostering assessment, the report will be submitted to an Independent Panel for a recommendation to be made. You will be asked to attend the Panel with the social worker who completed your assessment.
The Agency decision maker will make the final decision regarding your approval. Once approved you will then be a registered carer with Ikon Fostering and the journey begins! You will be allocated a Supervising Social Worker to help and support you. The path to becoming a Foster Carer requires a commitment to the assessment process and our current foster carers would be happy to share their experiences of the assessment process.
Notes: On average the assessment takes four to six months. The assessment provides you with information about fostering and how fostering will affect you, your family and your friends.
If you have children, it is important that you talk with them at an early stage about being part of a fostering family. The assessment process provides you with information about fostering and how fostering will affect you, your family and your friends.
Start your fostering journey with Ikon Fostering
Dedicated and Supportive
We place young people and children with foster carers across the UK, including: Walsall, Dudley, Wolverhampton, Bilston, Aldridge, Lichfield, Tamworth, Telford, Birmingham, Coventry, Stafford, Warwick, Worcester, Brierley Hill, Stourbridge, the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Shropshire, surrounding areas and many other parts of the UK.
To find out more get in touch…
