The fostering process is designed to prepare you fully for the rewarding role of caring for a child. From your very first enquiry through to welcoming a child into your home, the process typically takes around four to six months. Every stage is supported, and there is no obligation to continue at any point if you decide fostering is not right for you.
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The fostering process from first enquiry to your first placement typically takes four to six months. Here is a typical timeline showing how the stages break down over that period.
The fostering process involves several key components that work together to ensure you are fully prepared to care for a child in need
A structured, in-depth report exploring your background, lifestyle, health, relationships and motivations. Completed with an assessing social worker over several home visits.
Enhanced DBS checks for all adults in your household, a medical assessment by your GP, personal references, and local authority safeguarding checks.
A comprehensive course covering child development, attachment theory, safeguarding, managing behaviour and what daily life as a foster carer looks like.
Your home is assessed for safety and suitability, including the spare bedroom. This is not about having a perfect house — it is about providing a safe, welcoming environment.
An independent group of professionals reviews your assessment and meets you to recommend approval. Most applicants who reach panel stage are successfully approved.
Once approved, your agency carefully matches you with a child based on your skills, experience, household and the child's specific needs. You receive full support from day one.
Each stage of the fostering process is explained in detail below so you know exactly what to expect
The fostering process begins with a simple, no-obligation enquiry. This is your chance to find out more about what fostering involves, ask any questions, and receive an information pack. You can contact agencies directly or use Think Fostering to compare trusted agencies in your area.
There is absolutely no pressure at this stage. A member of the team will have a friendly conversation about your circumstances and advise whether fostering could be right for you. Many people spend weeks or months thinking before making this first call, and that is perfectly normal.
Completely free and no obligationAsk any questions about fosteringReceive a detailed information pack
A social worker from your chosen agency will visit you at home for an informal chat. This is not an inspection — it is a friendly conversation about your circumstances, motivations and daily life. The social worker will look at the spare bedroom and discuss what fostering would mean for your household.
This visit also gives you the opportunity to meet someone from the agency face-to-face, ask detailed questions, and get a feel for whether the agency is the right fit for you. Your family members, including any children, are welcome to be involved.
Informal and friendly, not an inspectionDiscussion of your circumstances and motivationsMeet the agency team face-to-face
You will be invited to attend a preparation training course, often called 'Skills to Foster'. This typically runs over two to three days and gives you a realistic insight into daily life as a foster carer. Topics covered include child development, attachment and bonding, safeguarding, managing challenging behaviour and working within a professional team.
Training is delivered flexibly, with many agencies offering online, in-person or weekend options to fit around your commitments. This period also gives you time to reflect, learn and decide whether fostering is the right path for you and your family.
Covers safeguarding, attachment and behaviourFlexible delivery — online, in-person or weekendsTime to reflect on your decision
The Form F is the formal, in-depth assessment that all prospective foster carers complete. An assessing social worker will visit you regularly at home to explore your background, parenting experience, lifestyle, health, relationships and support network. You will discuss your own childhood, how you manage stress, your values and how you would respond to different scenarios.
During this period, mandatory background checks are completed including enhanced DBS checks for all adult household members, a full medical assessment by your GP, and personal and professional references. The process is thorough but supportive, designed to ensure children are placed with prepared and resilient carers.
Detailed but supportive assessment processDBS, medical and reference checks completedSeveral home visits and in-depth discussions
The fostering panel is an independent group of professionals including social workers, education and healthcare representatives, and experienced foster carers. They review your completed Form F assessment and invite you to attend part of the meeting to ask questions and understand your motivations.
The atmosphere is professional but supportive. After discussion, the panel recommends your approval and any conditions such as age range or number of children. The final decision is made by the agency decision maker. Most applicants who reach panel stage are successfully approved.
Independent panel reviews your assessmentProfessional but supportive atmosphereMost applicants at panel are approved
Once approved, your agency carefully matches you with a child based on your skills, experience, household composition and the child's specific needs. Matching considers factors such as age, cultural background, location and emotional needs. You receive full information before accepting any placement and are never pressured to take on a child you are not comfortable with.
From day one of your placement, you receive ongoing support including a dedicated supervising social worker, 24/7 out-of-hours support, regular training opportunities and access to peer networks of other foster carers in your area.
Careful matching based on needs and strengthsFull information before accepting a placement24/7 support from your agency from day oneThinking about fostering is a big step, and it is completely natural to have questions; the information below covers the most common topics, and if you would like to know more, please read our full FAQs or contact a member of the team using our contact form.
The Form F assessment is the formal, in-depth evaluation process that prospective foster carers complete before being approved. It is a structured report required under fostering regulations in England, designed to assess your suitability to provide safe, stable and nurturing care for children. An assessing social worker will visit you regularly at home to explore your background, parenting experience, lifestyle, health, relationships and support network.
You will discuss your own childhood experiences, how you manage stress, your values and how you would respond to different scenarios. The assessment also includes references, medical checks and background screening. Although detailed, the process is supportive rather than intrusive, and allows you time to reflect on whether fostering is right for you.
A structured assessment of your suitability to fosterIncludes home visits, interviews and detailed discussionsForms the report presented to the fostering panelSafeguarding is central to fostering, so a range of statutory checks are completed. All applicants and adult household members must undergo an enhanced DBS check. A full medical assessment is completed by your GP to confirm your health allows you to meet the demands of fostering. Personal references are taken up, usually including friends, employers and sometimes former partners.
Social workers also carry out local authority checks, health and safety assessments of your home, and interviews with other household members. These checks are not about catching people out, but ensuring children are placed in secure and stable environments. Transparency and honesty are essential throughout.
Enhanced DBS checks for all adult household membersMedical assessment completed by your GPReferences and local authority safeguarding checksThe fostering panel is an independent group that reviews your completed Form F assessment and makes a recommendation about your approval. The panel usually includes social workers, education and healthcare representatives, and independent members with fostering experience. You will normally be invited to attend part of the meeting so panel members can ask questions.
The atmosphere is professional but supportive. After discussion, the panel recommends your approval and any conditions such as age range or number of children. The final decision is made by the agency decision maker. Most applicants who reach panel stage are successfully approved.
Independent panel reviews your assessment reportYou are usually invited to attend and answer questionsPanel recommends approval terms for final decisionYes, foster carers can transfer between agencies through a transfer assessment. Transfers may occur for various reasons including relocation, seeking improved support, or changes in placement availability. The process is guided by national fostering regulations to ensure children's stability is protected.
If you currently have a child placed with you, discussions will involve the placing authority to ensure the move does not disrupt the child's care plan. The new agency will complete an assessment, although it is often shorter than an initial Form F as much information is already available.
Transfers are permitted under fostering regulationsChild stability is prioritised during the processA new assessment is usually required before approvalMatching is a carefully planned process that aims to find the best possible fit between a child and a foster family. Agencies compare detailed information about the child's age, background, health, education needs and emotional requirements against the profiles and approval terms of available carers.
Matching considers experience, household composition, location, cultural background and the child's specific needs. The aim is to create a placement where the child can feel safe and supported long-term. Careful matching reduces placement breakdown and improves stability.
Matching considers child needs and carer strengthsCarers receive information before accepting placementsStability and suitability are prioritised over speed