The Application Process
The assessment process should, on average, take no longer than six months. Sometimes if the assessment is more complex it may take longer and applicants will be advised during the process if this is likely.
All information gathered is held on a file. You are entitled to view this information, with the exception of personal references, as these are provided in confidence or any third party where permission is not given or cannot be obtained.
On receiving your enquiry, basic information is gathered on a referral form and an information pack is sent to you.
If you wish to pursue matters, you must complete the reply slip and then an initial visit will be arranged in your home. Two social workers will visit you to discuss and assess your suitability to foster for the New Routes Project.
Depending if you are accepted as suitable by the agency you will be invited to the Foster Carer preparation training, which covers the responsibilities and expectations of a foster carer and much more. We invite our approved Carers and young people in placement to our regular training sessions. More experienced Foster Carers may also be involved in the delivery of training. You will be assessed during this training by the facilitators of the course and feedback will be provided.
Once initial training is completed, you will be invited to make a formal application to foster, by completing the required application form.
In addition, we will need a ‘consent letter’ from you, to enable us to complete the necessary checks (Criminal Records Bureau – CRB, Local Authority, medicals and education, etc), to ascertain final suitability to foster.
You are required to attend a medical examination at your G.P and the resultant report is made available to New Routes Agency Medical Adviser for his comments. Costs of the medical will be covered by New Routes.
A social worker will undertake an assessment within your home, involving all members in your household. This part is called the ‘Home Study’. This can take between 6 and 9 visits to collate, discuss and complete the information required for the Form F1 report.
A minimum of three personal references are required (one from a family member and two non-family members). An additional reference is required from your employer if you already work with children. Written references are required and followed up by an interview by the assessing social worker.
Where appropriate, we will interview previous partners as part of the assessment, where shared childcare and parenting have taken place.
The Form F1 is used to collect the information gathered from the assessment process. The form F1 is a standard format report published by BAAF (British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering)
During the assessment the applicants will need to complete a Home Study book; this is used to provide evidence of their experience and skills.
Regrettably, not all applicants are suitable to foster. We will inform all applicants if there are any concerns or doubts regarding your application to foster during the assessment process. Applicants have a right of appeal if their application is not successful at panel.
The content of the Form F report will be shared with applicants and signed by the applicants, social worker and team leader. Letters and referee comments cannot be shared to the applicant without their consent.
The report is then presented to Father Hudson’s Fostering Panel, where the panel members read the report .Applicants usually attend a meeting with the panel, in order to assist the panel in their consideration of the application. It is strongly advised that you attend.
The panel will make their recommendation regarding your application to the final decision maker, who will then decide whether applicants are approved or not. The panel can request further information before giving a recommendation.
Applicants are informed verbally and in writing of the final decision.
Applicants have a right of appeal.
We aim for the assessment and approval process to be completed within approximately 6 months.