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Fostering
Approval process fostering
Fostering Service, Family Placement Unit - June 2007
fostering@kirklees.gov.uk
'It might take six months... but it's worth it!' - Paul (Kirklees Foster Carer)
If you've decided that foster caring is for you, and it's something that you've always wanted to do. There are a number of steps that need to be taken. But we will support you all the way!
Kirklees Council will do everything it can to ensure that the entire process from the time you return your application form to being approved as a foster carer will take no longer than six months.
Vulnerable children and young people will be coming to live in your home. For this reason you will be asked to go through a process of preparation, during which your abilities as a potential foster carer will be assessed. You will need to show that you have the skills and understanding required to care for other people's children and that you can appreciate how it feels for children to be separated from their families, friends and local environment.
Six months may seem like a long time, but if you take advantage of the help and support that we have to offer, you will eventually succeed and the rewards make the effort worthwhile.
The process ... step by step
- Following you contacting us we will send you some information and a registration of interest form, if you wish to proceed you will need to return this form. You will be visited by a social worker who will have initial discussions with you about foster care. They will give you details of the assessment process and if they anticipate any initial difficulties such as medical issues, we will advise you of these. In these circumstances we often arrange for you to have a medical at this stage, with your consent and at our expense.
- You will then be invited to attend pre-approval training, where you will learn more about what's involved with fostering. This is also a chance to meet other people who are going through the process, and talk to experienced foster carers. After these groups if you decide to continue you will complete your application form.
- You will be asked to fill in a detailed application form about yourself and other members of your household. This form gives the council permission to carry out police and other
checks.
- You will be allocated a social worker who will explain the skills and qualities that foster carers need. They will discuss how you can demonstrate your skills through practical examples of activities you are already involved in, or through detailed conversations. They may also ask you to write something down or provide other evidence.
- The social worker will arrange regular appointments to meet with you. During these sessions you will cover a range of subjects relating to the needs of children who require fostering.
- You will discuss with the social worker the numbers and ages of children you could foster.
All the information is brought together by the social worker who writes a report outlining your details and skills. The social worker then presents the report to the fostering panel, who makes a recommendation to either approve you or not approve you as a foster carer. This recommendation has to be endorsed by the Agency Decision Maker, the Assistant Director for Children's Services. If you are not approved the social worker will discuss the reasons why with you and the chair of the panel will write to you. Sometimes it is possible to re-apply in the future.
You have the right to appeal this recommendation by writing to the Agency Decision Maker who will further consider all the papers.
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