Your fostering journey starts here

We’re ready to support you through your foster parent assessment process. This page details everything you need to know.

Taking the first step is as simple as 1,2,3…4!

ONE

Starting your application

Your application first starts by contacting a member of our team for an informal chat, to see if you meet the minimum criteria (such as whether you have a spare room).

If successful, a home visit will be organised where we will check some basic things like proof of identity, and chat a bit more about your background, family and current situation.

TWO

‘In assessment’ phase

Once we accept your application you are ‘In assessment’ with us.

The assessment process is made up of two parts:

Stage 1: Police & other checks
Stage 2: Assessment of suitability

Both phases are usually completed together and generally take 4-6 months to complete. For foster parents transferring from another organisation, the assessment period can be reduced.

THREE

Training & participation

During the assessment phase you will be asked to join a three-day ‘Skills to Foster’ training course which will help prepare you for your new role as a foster parent while also assessing your suitability.

During the assessment you’ll have the opportunity to discuss placement types and what children might be best suited to you and your family.

TRAINING & SUPPORT

FOUR

Recommendation

Once the above stages are complete, your allocated assessor will prepare a report and submit it to our panel for review.

Once you’ve received a recommendation from our panel, a final decision will be made by our Agency Decision Maker (ADM).

FROM OUR FOSTER FAMILIES

“We are living proof you can achieve your goals! Don’t let anything stand in your way!"

“In the beginning, when we were thinking of fostering, it was hard to know who to work with. Do we go with local authority or an agency? After many phone calls and meetings with agencies, Anchor Foster Care came to visit. After we had our first meeting, all the worries and doubts were gone. We had this amazing image in our head of how we were going to help.”

The finer details

The whole assessment process can take between 4-6 months. There’s no rush and we’ll move at a pace that suits you. Here are answers to some questions that you may have:

Start your application today!

To start your application process with us, you need to complete a contact form on our website, or you can request a call back to speak to a member of the team.

Or, if you’re already a foster parent and you’re wishing the transfer to us, you can find out more about this here.

APPLY TODAY