Everything You Need To Know
- What is the fostering assessment?
- What does the fostering assessment involve?
- How will Changing Futures help you to prepare for the fostering assessment?
At Changing Futures, our goal is to correctly support all of the foster children, young people and parents in our care to ensure the creation of mutually beneficial, safe and fun living environments. We understand the fostering process can seem daunting as well as exciting, especially when the word ‘assessment’ comes into play. But we want to assure you that there is nothing to worry about, which is why we’re going to discuss everything you need to know about the fostering assessment to debunk any myths and uncertainties.
What Is The Fostering Assessment?
Also referred to as Form F, the fostering assessment focuses on collecting information about you, including any experience you may have, your skills, any strengths and weaknesses and your family situation. This assessment is conducted by your assessing social worker over a period of a few months to allow for a wide and comprehensive collection of information. Your assigned social worker will ask you questions about a multitude of things, such as your personal interests, existing commitments, childhood, living situation, work history, and past relationships. This can help to better inform any further training required, as well as your suitability as a foster parent, taking into account different types of placements and scenarios.
What Does The Fostering Assessment Involve?
The fostering assessment also involves a number of vital checks to ensure the safety and well-being of both you and the child or young person in your care. These checks include:
- DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service Check): Any individual over 18 living in your household (and sometimes outside if regular contact with the child in your care will occur) must undergo a DBS check to ensure child safety and welfare.
- Medical Check: Completed by your GP, this report will highlight if there are any health conditions that may impact your ability to foster.
- Local Authority Check: This involves enquiries to the local authority, including their child protection records.
- Evidence Of Citizenship: Appropriate evidence may be required to complete this assessment, depending on your situation.
- Home Assessment: Our team performs this check to ensure your home environment is safe and ready for the arrival of a foster child or young person.
- Pet Assessment: This involves a pet questionnaire that determines whether your pet is safe around foster children.
How Will Changing Futures Help You To Prepare For The Fostering Assessment?
From initial enquiry to the fostering assessment, panel and placement, Changing Futures will be with you every step of the way! We want you to be successful in your fostering assessment, but our primary concern will always be the safety of the vulnerable children and young people in our care. This makes ensuring you’re completely ready and entirely supported vital! Our team of fostering experts and social workers are available for continuous support with no question or query unanswerable!
At Changing Futures Fostering, we’re all about providing our foster parents with the information and support they need to really make a difference in a vulnerable child’s life. If you need any more information about the fostering assessment or if you have any other questions or queries, please click here to contact us. Or, please feel free to email us at admin@changingfuturesne.co.uk or give us a call on 01429 363 127 to speak to our brilliant fostering team!