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How to foster a child: A step by step guide

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How to foster a child 

Ready to become a foster carer, but not sure how to get started? This guide will explain how to become a foster carer in a simple step-by-step guide, including how to check your eligibility and the application process.  

Step one – Can I be a foster carer?  

The first step of becoming a foster carer is to evaluate your own motivations for becoming a foster carer. You might want to consider the transferrable skills you have, and if they make you suitable to become a foster carer. It’s also worth asking your friends and family for their opinion too, as their support throughout the fostering process is invaluable.  

If you’re asking yourself, ‘can I foster?’, and the answer is yes, this is the stage where you would start to consider your eligibility. Common questions to check your eligibility are all included in our guide, “Can I Foster If…”. It’s important to remember that fostering doesn’t have an upper age limit, the basic eligibility requirements are simply; 

  • A spare bedroom for your foster child as a safe space and somewhere for them to sleep in. 
  • To be healthy enough both mentally and physically to look after your foster child  
  • To be at least 21 years old 
  • To have enough time to look after your foster child  
  • Be a full-time resident in the UK 

Step two - Choose your foster care agency

After considering the fostering requirements, the next step is to choose your foster care agency or local authority. 

There are a number of considerations you should make when choosing your foster care agency or local authority, including training and support and location. Find out more about the benefits of fostering with an independent fostering agency in our guide.  

For more information about fostering with Capstone Foster Care, download our brochure for the latest information about what it means to foster with us.  

Step three – Application

Now you’ve decided which fostering agency is best for you, it’s time to start the application process. Starting your application is simple; 

  • Online: Fill in our online enquiry form and member of our team will be in touch.   
  • Phone: Call 0800 012 4004 and an advisor will be happy to speak to you. 

Step four – Assessment Process 

The next step is the assessment process, which takes between 4-6 months in total. It includes your initial home visit as well as the Form F Assessment 

You can see the type of questions that you might be asked during the assessment process in our guide, which explains exactly what happens during an initial home visit 

Step five – Choose your type of placement 

Choose which type of foster placement is right for you, whether that’s short term, long term, or therapeutic fostering, we accommodate a variety of fostering arrangements at Capstone Foster Care. To find out more about our types of placements read our guide 

Step six – After approval

After you’ve been approved as a foster carer, don’t worry, you won’t be left alone. There’s a wealth of support available to you as a foster carer, including our skills to foster training.  You’ll also have access to phone calls and visits from your dedicated social worker, as often as needed, including our Out of Hours service, that gives you access to a social worker 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  

Find out more about the assessment process here


 

Ready to apply

Ready to apply? Take the next step and call one of our advisors today on 0800 012 4004 or enquire about fostering through our online form. 

Thinking of fostering?

If you’ve got any questions or would like to find out more about fostering with Capstone, fill out the form below.
An experienced fostering advisor from your local area will then be in touch.

We need this to put you in touch with your local fostering advisor.

The information you provide will be used to respond to the enquiry you have submitted, for further information please refer to our privacy policy.

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Find out more about fostering with Capstone.

Download our helpful guide to becoming a foster carer

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Ways to
GET IN TOUCH

Start the conversation today. Our team of friendly advisors are on hand to answer any foster care questions you may have. We can offer you honest and practical advice that can help you decide if becoming a foster carer is the right path for you. 


Request a
call back

Contact us by completing our online form and one of our fostering advisors will respond to your enquiry within 24 hours.



Call us

Contact us by phone and one of our friendly fostering experts will be on hand for any foster care advice and support you require.



Download a Brochure

Download our helpful guide to becoming a foster carer with Capstone Foster Care.