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.
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