We have had several people say that they did not think that they would be able to start the fostering assessment process due to Covid-19 social distancing requirements. So, for those of you not fostering and thinking the fostering recruitment system has stopped – here are UK Fostering we are letting you know that it hasn’t (certainly not for us).
We are happy to talk on the phone with anyone interested, conduct ‘initial home visits’ by webcam, and even start the assessment process with a social worker online. We are also holding our initial foster carer training online. You will need to have access to laptop, tablet, or PC (with webcam) to be able to proceed.
We are well equipped to keep things going (albeit maybe just a little bit slower than normal) so do not hold back from enquiring. The assessment process takes around 4-6 months. You will need to have at least one spare bedroom for foster children to be able to have their own space.
We are particularly interested in hearing from people who would like to foster:
- Older children e.g. 10 years and over including teenagers
- Children with additional needs such as disabilities, ADHD, medical needs
- Parents and their babies/toddlers (called parent and child fostering)
- Sibling groups
“The whole process has been thorough and professional.
Even though there is the coronavirus situation, the assessor and UK Fostering team members have completed the assessment from start to finish thoroughly and in a timely manner.”
Shabhana, Newly Approved Foster Carer
We have more information on the assessment process on the link below – this link does reflect the usual (non Covid-19) process: https://ukfostering.org.uk/becoming-foster-parent/fostering-assessment-process/
More information on why foster children need their own bedroom: https://ukfostering.org.uk/foster-children-need-bedroom/
by Lynsey Dobbs – Senior Recruitment Officer, UK Fostering