How long does it take to become a foster carer?
We are aware that deciding to become a foster parent is a big commitment.
A great starting point is to have an initial conversation with one of our friendly fostering team, to talk through any questions you have about fostering and the fostering process at the Together Trust.
We are always available and happy to provide you with any additional information about becoming a foster carer that you may need.
The fostering process can take a number of months, but we can work with you beforehand to talk through any queries or anxieties either over the phone or face-to-face to help you on your journey to becoming a foster carer.
There are six steps in your fostering journey with the Together Trust.
It all begins with initial contact with one of our friendly fostering team, we would then arrange a home to talk to you about fostering in detail. After the home visit we then provide our introductory ’Skills to Foster’ training, which usually takes place over two days.
The introductory training gives you an opportunity to get a clear understanding of fostering before you commit. During the training you will also be able to speak directly to one of our foster carers and hear them talk about their experience of fostering with the Together Trust.
If you feel fostering is right for you following the training we then move onto the assessment, undertaking statutory checks and personal references. This may sound daunting, but we are there to help you throughout this stage. Once the assessment is complete and signed by you it goes to the fostering panel, who are responsible for making a recommendation as to whether you are suitable to be foster carer.
In the final step we welcome you to the Together trust fostering family! We are delighted to have you join us in making a real difference to the lives of children and young people.
We asked one of our Together Trust foster care families for their advice to anyone who might be considering becoming a foster carer.
If you don’t ring up you’re not going to know… you can always go to the meetings for the six weeks and if you don’t like it you don’t have to do it. But if you don’t phone up you don’t know if you’re going to like it do you… so give it a go.
Together Trust foster carer - Dave Taverner
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