Becoming a
Foster Carer
Interested in becoming a foster carer?
“It’s been brilliant, you don’t realise that they are ticking things off as you go along”
Trina Monington-Tennant
How to Start Your Journey
One of the most rewarding things you can make in life is a difference. As a Foster Carer with Progress, you’ll be doing that every day. You don’t need any particular qualifications or experience to apply. The most important things you can possess are patience and the desire to change a young person’s life for the better.
If you have those, becoming a Foster Carer isn’t as complicated as you might think. We’ve broken the process down into six simple steps.
The 6 steps to becoming a foster carer
STEP 01
Enquiry & Visit Request
Use our enquiry form to contact us. Once we’ve received your enquiry we’ll send you an information pack, and a member of the Progress team will contact you to discuss the process.
STEP 02
Home Visit
We’ll pay you a visit to learn more about you, your family and your home. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask us questions in person. If you’re happy to proceed, we’ll complete the paperwork required to get the process started.
STEP 03
Skills to Foster & Form F
You’ll be invited to attend a mandatory Skills to Foster training course that provides important information and will give you an insight into what to expect as a foster carer. Once you’ve successfully completed the course, you’ll be allocated a Social Worker who will begin your Form F Assessment. This is an in-depth information-gathering process that will be submitted to an independent Fostering Panel.
STEP 04
Fostering Panel
Along with your Social Worker, you’ll be invited to attend the Fostering Panel, who will assess your suitability and make a recommendation of your approval.
STEP 05
Progress Induction
Once approved by the panel, you’ll be allocated a Supervising Social Worker. You will then undertake an induction to provide you with the resources available to begin your role as a Foster Carer with Progress.
STEP 06
Match Placement
Progress will notify all the relevant Local Authorities that you are available to foster. We’ll then work closely with you to match your first placement.
Progress provides a professional career path with full training and support to build your Fostering skills and continue your development in a range of areas.
Latest Fostering News
The best part of the job is seeing how they’ve progressed because it’s all about progression. In a heartwarming success story, twin siblings at Progress Children’s Services recently achieved a remarkable milestone by winning a local art competition. The twins, both diagnosed with global developmental delay and autism, joined Progress Children’s Services, earlier this year…
Working the night shift as a support worker at Progress is more than just a job; it’s a commitment to ensuring the well-being and stability of those who depend on the services provided. As the sun sets and most people wind down their day, night shift support workers at Progress gear up for their crucial…
In July 2024, Progress launched the My Progress Values challenge to inspire creative expression among young people by reflecting on the core values of our organisation—Care, Trust, Respect and Progress and Progress. After months of thoughtful participation from across our services, we are excited to announce Regis House as the overall winner of this competition….
Progress Children’s Services is excited to welcome Evanka as the new Deputy Manager at Portland House. With her wealth of experience and passion for children’s welfare, Evanka brings a fresh perspective to the service, positioning it firmly on the path toward excellence. Evanka’s journey with Progress began as a bank staff member for over two…
Staff understand the vulnerabilities of children living at the home. They know how to keep children safe. Care is well organised and arranged…” — Ofsted. Hilton House, a part of Progress Children’s Services, recently underwent an unannounced Ofsted inspection, a crucial requirement for any service in the care sector in the UK. The positive outcome of…
Progress Children’s Services is celebrating outstanding achievements following the first full inspections of two of its children’s homes, The Bridge and Hilton House, by Ofsted. Both homes have received high commendations for their commitment to the exceptional care and support for children with special needs. The Bridge earned an “outstanding” rating for its leadership and…
Tim is a residential support worker at Nightingale House, a key service under Progress. His journey is a remarkable story of professional growth and personal transformation. Starting with minimal experience, Tim has not only become a vital member of the Nightingale House team but has also found that the skills and training he received have…
I want to give the other children in care the same experiences we gave to Reuben because they deserve the same as every other child. Laura recently joined Progress Children’s Services as a residential support worker, bringing with her a wealth of personal experience and an inspiring dedication to the well-being of children with complex…
Stourbridge House, an integral part of Progress, recently hosted a heartwarming and successful Parents’ Day event at the Head Office. This event aimed to provide a much-needed support network for the parents of the young persons in their care. Bethany Jordan, Interim Home Manager, and Jessica Freeman, Interim Deputy Manager, shared insights about the event’s…
Rilford, known affectionately as Uncle Ray, is a residential support worker at Portland House. Just a few months into the role, he has seamlessly integrated into the team, contributing significantly to the daily activities, and positively impacting the young people. With decades of experience working with children and adults with severe learning disabilities, complex needs,…
England secured a dramatic last-minute victory over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final, earning a spot in the final against Spain. Ollie Watkins’ brilliant strike sealed the win for England, setting up an era-defining showdown with Spain as they aim to be crowned the Champions of Europe, bring the trophy home and end years…
At Progress, we take immense pride in providing a nurturing and supportive environment for our young people. One of our standout services, Regis House, is a testament to our commitment to fostering a sense of community and belonging for all our young people. Led by the dedicated and passionate Annette, Regis House exemplifies our ethos…