How to become a foster carer

Knowing how to become a foster carer for children is the essential first step in starting this rewarding journey, so it's important to familiarise yourself with the process and what's required. You'll need to understand the responsibilities, the training involved, and how to navigate the assessment to ensure you're ready to provide a safe and nurturing environment for a child in need.

Become a foster carer in just eight steps

We've outlined the general, eight-step process in becoming a foster carer:

Step 1

Phone call with a recruitment worker

This provides the opportunity for people to ask any questions and have an initial discussion about their own personal circumstances. Feel free to contact us as many times as you wish. Ring 0800 169 6321.

Step 2

Home visit to meet you

If you wish to proceed with becoming a foster carer, we would arrange a home visit to answer further questions and to find out more about your family and personal circumstances. This can take place virtually or in person.

Step 3

Complete your application form

If we agree that fostering will work for you, we will send you an application form for you to complete.

Step 4

Meet your social worker

Once your application form is received, you will be allocated a social worker to start your fostering assessment. We aim for the fostering assessment to last no more than four months, however, at busy times, there can occasionally be a short delay in allocating a social worker.

Step 5

Your fostering assessment

During the fostering assessment we will complete various checks and you will need to have a medical with your doctor. We will also obtain references and interview at least two of your referees. Alongside this, you will meet with your social worker to talk about yourself and your family. We will find out about your support network and any particular skills or experience you will bring to your role as a foster carer.

Step 6

'An introduction to fostering' course

During your assessment you will be invited to 'An introduction to fostering' course. This course aims to provide you with an introduction into the role of a foster carer, the professionals you will be working with and how to care for a child in your home.

Step 7

Completion of fostering report

When your fostering assessment has been completed, all your information will be brought together in a report, which you will read before it is shared with a fostering panel. The fostering panel consists of a variety of people, including professionals and lay people, who have a special interest in fostering.

The final step

Welcome to the Wiltshire fostering family

If the fostering panel recommend that you are approved as a foster carer, a senior manager will make the final decision. Once you are approved, you will be welcomed into the Wiltshire fostering family.