Information for Prospective Foster Carers

Every child and young person is unique and has diverse needs.
Children and young people need foster care for a lot of different reasons. Their parents may be ill, unable to cope or having relationship problems, the child or young person may have been physically, emotionally or sexually abused, they may have been neglected or they may have witnessed domestic violence, criminal activity or drug and alcohol abuse. This means that they will be demanding and they may have behavioural and emotional problems and need that extra special care.

Fostering can be fulfilling yet challenging in many different ways. Both newly trained and experienced foster carers may continuously find themselves in stressful situations because of the demands in childcare.
Kingfisher Fostering acknowledges this and we take pride in looking after our Foster Carers. We believe that by doing so, we would be able to provide the best alternative care for the children and young people who need it.

As such, we provide a comprehensive support package, which includes:
• An allowance of up to £386 per child per week to cover their needs.
• Access to support 24/7
• Regular visits from an allocated Link-worker
• Organised events for foster families
• Buddy system/Carer’s Support Group meetings
• Activity/support group for sons and daughters of foster carers
• training programmes and continuous development opportunities
• Access to International Fellowship groups for children and young people of multicultural background

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 - Upon receipt of your application form we would conduct a home visit to discuss the assessment process further and answer any questions you may have.

Step 2 - Applicants are invited to attend the mandatory 3 day ‘Skills to Foster’ training course.

Step 3 - Application for medical, Criminal Records Bureau and other checks. Some of these checks may need to be completed by other family members.

Step 4 - Allocation of a Link-worker to conduct a detailed assessment and complete
Form F

Step 5 - Meet Kingfisher Fostering’s Panel

Step 6 - Once approved, a matching process between a child’s needs and your capacity to meet these.

Step 7 - Foster placement

For full details of the Assessment Process please click here

Could You be a Foster Carer? Please click here to find out!