What does the Fostering Assessment (Form F) or ‘home study’ involve?

Before you can become a foster carer or parent, we have to undertake a detailed assessment of your circumstances. This fostering assessment is sometime called a ‘Form F’ looks in detail at your background, your present situation, and what you and your family (if you have one) could offer children and young people as a foster carer. It is split into two components or stages.  Stage 1, includes, references and background checks. Stage 2 includes a detailed assessment of you and your immediate family considering your history and impact of significant events, important relationships and experience of parenting. 

The fostering assessment is carried out by one of our qualified, experienced social workers. They typically will visit you at home 8 to 10 times over 3 to 4 months. They’ll ask you to also complete your own research and undertake work to contribute to the assessment.

They will talk about the different types of fostering and age groups with you to help you to decide what would be suitable for your family.

The process will help prepare you for fostering and enable us to understand your strengths and areas for development.