If you and your family decide to take your interest further, please complete and return the form in the information pack and we will arrange for a member of the family placement team to visit you at home to discuss it further.
A couple of weeks after their initial visit, we will telephone you to see if you wish to be invited to our next preparation sessions for foster carers. We usually run the preparation sessions a couple of times a year depending upon the demand. They are usually held in Bury on two Saturdays and three evenings and where applicants are a couple, both applicants need to attend.
The preparation sessions explore a wide range of issues in great detail and will give you a lot to think about. These issues include why children need to be looked after, safe caring, children's development, behaviour and contact. The sessions will help you decide whether fostering is really right for you and your family. Preparation sessions are run by family placement staff with experienced foster carers.
You will be given an application form to complete should you decide to formally apply.
We will take up references from all statutory agencies, including the police for applicants and other members of the household. We also need to visit two personal references. You will need to have a medical with your GP, which we pay for. You should let us know at an early stage whether you have any medical problems or have a criminal record, which may affect an application in order to avoid delay and disappointment.
A member of the family placement team will visit you at home on a number of occasions to complete a detailed assessment report about you and your family. You will need to share information and your feelings about your own experiences of being parented and of parenting if you already have children, about your relationships and be able to show that you have the understanding, skills and abilities to undertake this vital role.
You will see a copy of the report but not the comments of your personal references. If there are significant differences of opinion you may wish to make your views known to the fostering panel.
The family placement worker will be submitting the report to the Fostering Panel, which is responsible for recommending the approval, and de-registration, of foster carers. Applicants are welcome to attend the Fostering Panel meeting which is considering their application if they wish to do so.
If any application is not approved, the applicant would receive written notification and may make written representation within 28 days. The application would then be reconsidered by the fostering panel.
The assessment process may take up to 6 months from the date of your application.
