How to become a foster carer
We're actively recruiting more foster carers at Camden. If you feel ready to start an application, the steps below will show you what to expect.
It can take roughly 6 months for the whole process to happen and a final decision to be made. We appreciate this is a long time, but it's very important that we're as thorough as possible when making decisions about who's suitable to look after vulnerable children.
If you're not sure if you would like to apply to be a foster carer but you still have questions, then please contact us.
Step 1: Contact us
You can either email or call us to find out more about becoming a foster carer.
Our fostering recruitment social worker will then talk to you on the phone to briefly find out about your motivations, relevant experience and the space in your home.
You'll also be asked to fill in an application form.
Step 2: Home visit
A fostering recruitment social worker will visit you at home.
They'll have a brief look around to check your home is suitable for fostering. They'll talk to you in more detail about why you want to foster and they'll also speak to anyone you live with, as it's important that your whole household thinks fostering is a good idea.
You'll also be given paperwork to complete, so that background checks (such as a medical assessment, police check and employment checks) can be started.
Step 3: The Skills to Foster training
You will then be invited to attend a 3-day training course to prepare you for fostering.
This course covers the role of a foster carer, the importance of understanding a child and where they come from, working with birth families and professionals, keeping children safe and helping children to move on.
Following this course, you'll decide with the trainers if fostering is right for you.
Step 4: The assessment process
An assessing social worker will visit your home at least 8 times.
They'll ask you about your family background, going right back to your own childhood and early experiences. They'll look at your educational and employment experiences and your significant relationships. They'll also look at your skills to care for children and how ready you are to become a foster carer.
The assessing social worker will also request references from people who know you well and can comment on your ability to care for a foster child.
Step 5: The fostering panel
Your assessment report will be prepared and presented to Camden’s independent fostering panel.
The panel will advise the council if they recommend you as a foster carer, but the final decision rests with Camden's Assistant Director of Safeguarding and Social Care.