The fostering process

The fostering process

The fostering process has several stages and you can ask questions at any point of the process to help you decide if fostering is right for you. We’ll be with you every step of the way.

We’re looking for foster carers for children and young people of all ages who could provide short term, long term and short break (also known as respite) foster care. If you think you could help us, please get in touch today.

The first stage in the fostering process is to make an initial enquiry as is symbolised by this icon of a mobile phone

Contact us

The first stage of the foster care process is to contact us by phone, in writing, by email or via our website to make an initial enquiry about fostering in Scotland. You can ask us questions about what fostering entails in order to help you decide if fostering is right for you.

The second stage in the fostering process is to receive information as is symbolised by this icon of a document

Receive information

If you feel that you would like to find out more about fostering we will send you some information about fostering through us as well as a short Initial Enquiry Form.

Once you receive this information you can call us or send us an email if you have any more questions about fostering. We are always happy to speak to you to help you decide if becoming a foster care is right for you.

Then if you’re still interested in fostering, please complete and return the Initial Enquiry Form to us so that we can arrange for a social worker to visit you in your home.

The third stage in the fostering process is to have an intial visit as is symbolised by this icon of a house

Initial visit

  • During this stage of the foster care process the social worker will tell you about:
  • fostering
  • the preparation
  • the assessment process
  • the checks we carry out
  • St Andrew’s Children’s Society

Again, you can ask any questions you like to help you get a better understanding of fostering and if it’s right for you.

Please be as honest as possible with us at this point so that we can be clear with you about what the challenges will be.

We will tell you about the kinds of children and young people who need foster care homes. We will also ask you about your motivation and expectations.

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Preparation group

Our job is to give you a lot of information about foster care, particularly about the sorts of children or young people who are in the local authority care system and who we need foster care families for.

There will be given plenty of opportunities to ask questions and to delve deeper into what it’s really like to foster a child or young person. You will also be able to speak to other people taking part in the prep group who are considering fostering.

You have a crucial role to play at this time. We give you a chance to take a very honest look at what you want out of fostering and what you can offer a child or young person waiting to be fostered (all of whom have experienced loss, trauma and possible abuse).

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Homestudy

This is the assessment process to become a foster carer and takes around 6 months to complete.

The homestudy looks at: 

  • your personal history
  • relationships
  • support network
  • motivation to foster 
  • parenting capacity

 

It also looks at:

  • your understanding of foster care
  • the kinds of children and young people who need to be fostered
  • what accommodation you are able to offer
  • how you manage your finances
  • what financial support we will offer you

 

There are statutory checks that we will conduct, including:

  • a police check
  • local authority checks
  • medicals checks through your GP

 

We also take personal references from:

  • employers
  • friends
  • those who know you well
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Approval panel

The report from your homestudy goes to the agency’s Foster Care Panel for consideration.

The panel will meet with you to check that all the information written in your Assessment Report is correct. They will also hear from you about what you can offer children and young people and what you hope the rewards for you will be. The panel will then recommend whether you should be approved as a foster carer. The Agency Decision Maker then makes a final decision based on your report, the information received at panel and the panel’s recommendation.

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Looking for the right child or young person for you to foster

Unlike local authority foster carer services we do not confine our search to finding the right child or young person for you to one local authority area.

We will search across Scotland to get the right child or young person that best suits you and your family.

You will be very much involved in this stage of the process.

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Linking and matching

When a potential match has been found, social workers involved will attend a Linking Meeting to explore the potential match and what supports may be needed.

A recommendation is made about the suitability of the match. If this is positive you will have a series of introductory meetings with the child or young person before the decision is made to move the child or young person into your home.

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The legal context of fostering

Children and young people who are in foster care are legally protected and safeguarded by the local authority that places them with you.

The legal context for children and young people can vary depending on their needs. Full information will be given to you when there is potential for a child or young person to move into your home.

Take the next step now!

One of our social workers will then contact you.

Alternatively, please call us on 0131 454 3370 (if you live within 60 miles of Edinburgh) or 01224 878 158 (if you live within 60 miles of Aberdeen or Elgin) or email info@standrews-children.org.uk and we’ll send you an enquiry form to complete and return.

If you have any questions or are unsure if you can adopt or foster through us, please contact us anyway using the details above to speak with one of our social workers.

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We feel part of St Andrew’s Children’s Society very much and are proud to be fostering through them.