The Assessment Process
Recruitment and retention strategies
are the key means of identifying and maintaining appropriate
Foster Carers. At Kingfisher Fostering we endeavour
to identify carers who show a genuine interest and
understanding of caring for the often complex needs
of children, who, due to no fault of their own, have
had to leave their family.
Kingfisher Fostering Ltd adheres to the following
processes and procedures:
Step 1
Enquiries are received from potential
Foster Carers in response to advertising through local
papers; local radio; telephone directories; the internet;
topical magazines; distribution of leaflets and posters
or via recommendation from other foster carers.
Step 2
An initial assessment via telephone
interview is conducted to check for:
- Previous or ongoing child care
experience
- Number and age of own children, if any
- Motivation to foster
- Availability of spare bedroom/s to accommodate a
looked after child/young person
For applicants who meet the set
criteria, and are interested to pursue their enquiry
further an information pack comprising the agency’s
information booklet and application form is sent out
by post or email. The application form requests detailed
information, as stipulated within the National Minimum
Standards/Fostering Service Regulations: Schedule
3, about the applicant/s and their family members.
Step 3
An assessment takes place of received
application forms, and an initial screening interview
is conducted by a qualified Social Worker in the applicant’s
home.
Step 4
- Induction session – introduction
of Assessment Agreement
A group information session for
prospective Foster Carers enabling them to learn more
about the agency, it’s staff and the fostering
process, together with an opportunity to meet other
current and prospective Foster Carers.
- Pre-requisite Group training
for prospective Foster Carers:
a) The Fostering Network’s
‘Skills to Foster’ – a 6 session
training module (which usually takes place over 3
full days) which must be attended by all prospective
carers. This training looks at the role and responsibilities
of being a Foster Carer and the importance of working
as part of a team with the agency, local authorities
and other professionals involved in the care of a
Looked After Child/Young Person
b) The Fostering Network’s
‘Skills to Foster’ one day training for
the sons and daughters of prospective Foster Carers
Step 5
Form F1 Assessment
A decision is then made by the
agency on whether to take applicants through to Full
Form F Assessment and the agency will request prospective
Foster Carers written consent to obtain the following
information as required by the National Minimum Standards/Fostering
Service Regulations, Schedule 3:
- CRB checks on the applicant/s, and other members
of their family/household if necessary
- Current and previous Local Authority Social Services
background checks
- Educational background checks on birth children
- Personal and employment references for each applicant
- References from previous partners and other family
members where appropriate
Applicants will also be required
to submit to full Adult Health Assessments which will
be conducted by their GP and reviewed by the agency’s
medical adviser.
Prospective Foster Carer/s will
be asked to sign an Assessment Agreement.
A qualified Social Worker is allocated
to work with the applicant/s. He/she will visit the
applicant/s, (and any children, where appropriate)
on approximately 6-8 occasions, (both individually
and jointly for a joint application) in order to gather
information relevant to all members of the household.
Applicants will also be encouraged
to compile a portfolio of material highlighting their
skills and experience.
The information which is
gathered forms the basis of the assessment and a report,
The Form F1 (Competency Based format - available from
BAAF) is compiled to include:
1. Personal information specified
in Schedule 3 of the Fostering Service Regulations
of 2002 relating to the prospective carers and other
family members
2. Reports of interviews conducted with at least four
persons nominated by prospective foster carers to
provide personal references for them
3. The results of CRB checks on the applicant/s; and
other family members where appropriate (All applicants
will be subject to the “specified offences”
conditions as laid down in Section 27 paragraph 5,
6, and 7 of Fostering Services Regulations 2002)
4. The results of the applicant/s medical assessment/s
5. The results of checks with Local Authorities in
whose area the applicant/s live or have lived in within
the previous 5 years
6. The Social Worker’s competency based assessment
of the applicant’s suitability to act as a foster
carer
7. The fostering service provider’s assessment
of whether the household is suitable based on Health
and Safety criteria and risk assessment of domestic
animals
8. The fostering service provider’s proposals
about the terms, and conditions of any approval
The Fostering Manager will read,
approve and countersign each Form F1.
The Form F1 will be read by prospective
foster carers and signatures gained.
The Form F1 is presented for consideration
and recommendation by The Fostering Panel.
Step 6
Fostering Panel
Fostering Panels have a crucial
role to play in the provision and monitoring of Foster
Care for looked after children/young people and for
Foster Families.
Kingfisher Fostering has its own
Fostering Panel (established under National Minimum
Standards/Fostering Service Regulations) and its members
are drawn from various professions relevant to the
care of children and young people such as Education,
Social Work, Child Health and Fostering.
Members of the Fostering Panel
receive regular training and are knowledgeable in
current legislation relevant to Fostering and the
welfare of children and young people in general.
The Fostering Panel will meet as
required by the agency, to discuss and consider the
completed assessments. In order to assist in the decision
making process, applicants and their assessing Social
Workers will be asked to attend so that the Panel
members can meet the applicants and ask questions.
Step 7
Approval – decision-making
process
Kingfisher Fostering Ltd is ultimately
responsible for deciding whether to approve an applicant
as a foster carer after taking the panel recommendations
into consideration.
The Registered Manager receives
the recommendation of the Panel and on behalf of Kingfisher
Fostering makes the final decision about approval
status.
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