How do I become a foster carer?

The process of becoming a foster carer may seem a bit daunting but there will always be someone available to offer you support, advice and guidance.

The process falls into 3 stages:

• Enquiry Stage
• Formal Application Stage
• Fostering Panel

Enquiry Stage

The first step is to email us to request an information pack.

Email: fostering.befriending@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

The information pack will be sent out immediately and you can decide from the information included if you want to take things further.

If you are still interested in becoming a foster carer fill in the registration of interest form which you will find in the information pack.

A family placement worker from the recruitment team will contact you to arrange an initial home visit.

You may be invited to attend The Skills to Foster (pdf 48kb) training course which will inform you if you want to proceed.

Formal Application Stage

Once you have attended The Skills to Foster training course you will be able to fill in and submit the formal application form.

On receiving your application someone from the family placement team will begin your home study which can take up to six months to complete.

The assessment and approval process will involve all members of your household.

It will look at all aspects of your family life and your ability to care for a child who has experienced loss and trauma.

As part of this process the following checks will be carried out:

• Disclosure Scotland checks – with your consent, we will ask Disclosure Scotland to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure check. Anyone in your household who is over 16 will also be asked to undertake a Disclosure Check.
• Criminal records check from overseas – if you have lived overseas we will have to undertake checks with any countries you have lived in.
• Medical reference – we will ask your general practitioner to give you a medical examination to ensure that you are fit and well enough to care for children. Please let us know at the outset if you have a history of medical problems.
• Local authority checks – we will check if you have had contact with social work agencies in the past, and whether this is relevant to your application.
• Personal references – we will ask you to provide the names of six individuals who could possibly provide you with a reference.
• Employment history and employers reference – we will ask you about your employment history since leaving school and will request a reference from your current employer.
• Previous partners and adult children – we may wish to make contact with your previous partners, or any children from a previous relationship.

On completing your home study the family placement team will produce your home study report. You will be able to read your report before it is sent to the Fostering Panel.

Fostering Panel

Your home study report will be presented to our fostering panel.

You will be invited to attend a meeting with the panel to discuss your application.

The social worker involved in the preparation of your home study report will discuss the role of the fostering panel in more detail with you.

The panel's recommendation is passed to the Head of Social Work (Child Care and Criminal Justice) and you will be informed of their final decision within 21 days.