How to become a foster carer

Norfolk Fostering Service is part of Foster East. We work together to make sure fostering is right for you and your family. Read more about how we work with Foster East.

The assessment and approval process

First conversation

1. Initial enquiry: Contact us to let us know you are interested in fostering. You can enquire online or by phone. You can also see us in person at one of our pop-up events.
2. Optional online information sessions: come along to one of our online drop-in sessions to find out more about fostering in Norfolk. Our events page explains how to join us.
3. Initial discussion: a recruitment coordinator will get in touch. We'll talk about why you're interested in fostering, your home, and personal circumstances. If you'd like to find out more, we'll introduce you to a foster ambassador who is an experienced foster carer. They'll answer any questions from their point of view. 
4. Expression of interest: Contact us when you are ready to fill out an expression of interest form. The Foster East team will complete and submit the form on your behalf.

Initial home visit 

One of the team will come to visit you at home. They'll want to:

• Look around your house
• Meet you and your family members who live at home - and any pets you might have

You'll have an in-depth talk about your values, your personal circumstances and why you want to be a foster parent. You'll discuss how you see fostering fitting into your life.  

This is a great opportunity for you and your family to ask any questions you might have about fostering and how it could work for you.  

Together you'll decide if you are ready to progress to the next stage (called the initial assessment). 

Application and assessment 

1. You'll meet your assessing social worker: one of Norfolk Fostering Service's strengths is the time we take to get to know you and your family. This stage takes a bit of time. The better we know you, the better we can match children in care to you. We want to know everything about you and for you to have the chance to ask every question you want.  
2. Training: you'll go on our Skills to Foster course led by our experienced team. You'll meet other applicants and young people who have experienced life in care. There might be some other training such as first aid and safeguarding for you to do as well.  
3. Background checks: we'll carry out background checks and gain references.  
4. Self discovery: the process helps you to understand your strengths. We will work out your preferences for fostering. Some people find this process challenging, some people really enjoy it. We give you the chance to reflect on your life experiences and skills and you get to know us really well too. Lots of people say it helps them to know themselves better (and their partner if applying as a couple). 

Approval 

1. Panel review: when you are ready, you and your assessing social worker attend a panel. They may ask you a few more questions. Panels are usually held once a month or every six weeks.  
2. Decision: the panel will confirm your suitability. They'll decide how many children you can foster and their age range. 
3. Joining the team: you'll officially become a foster carer and will be introduced to your supervising social worker. There's some paperwork to do such as registering with HMRC as self-employed and telling your house insurers you're now a foster carer.