Understanding the Fostering Process in Five Concise Steps

Fostering is a truly life-changing experience for all involved. I have friends who have fostered and adopted respectively and some who fostered first then adopted and it has been the greatest experience of their life.

For the child, they get to experience a level of care, love, and commitment that they may only have always sought, and if you’re a foster parent, you are able to receive the most valuable gift of all – family.

That said, the process isn’t without its difficulties; it’s natural to feel overwhelmed as you embark on your journey, but in this article, you’ll discover what fostering involves in five concise steps!

 

Step 1: Ensuring Stability

When it comes to fostering, preparation is key. You need to be both mentally and physically prepared for what’s to come, and have a strong support network of friends and family around to help you. Fostering is something to approach when you and your partner are stable in all senses of the word.

Think long and hard about whether now is the right time to foster – perhaps you’d be in a better position say, financially, in a year or so, or maybe you’ve moved to a new place and don’t feel fully settled yet. Only you can make the call.

 

Step 2: Choosing the Right Foster Care Agency

Once you feel properly prepared, it’s time to research the best fostering agency to assist you. Not all agencies are created equally, varying mostly in terms of the resources and training that are offered to you (which are crucial for getting you ready for your foster care journey). 

Always read reviews from established foster carers, and reach out to people you know or on forums to gain insights from those who have already been there and have achieved what you’re hoping to do.

 

Step 3: The Application and Assessment Process

Having settled on an agency, it’s time to start the application and assessment process. This period can take a while as it will involve thorough background checks and home visits so the agency to verify that you’re an appropriate candidate for fostering a child. 

This process can take anything from weeks to months, so be patient – the agency will work closely with you to offer support along the way, and they will be on hand to answer any questions throughout. 

Step 4: Training

Next up is your training. The agency may offer a course for you to take which covers a whole range of topics about providing proper care for vulnerable people (for example, how to support someone dealing with past trauma). 

It’s key to remember that the child you will be fostering will have been through a lot, and your ability to support them through such a huge change is imperative. 

Step 5: Approval

After your training has been completed, approval follows soon after and you’ll be given the title of foster carer. 

Then comes the exciting part: getting matched with a child! You might meet several different children during your time at the agency, and once you’ve found the ideal match, the agency will do its best to make the transition go as smoothly as possible. 

Of course, this is where the hard work truly begins. The first few weeks to months might be incredibly challenging, but over time, your relationship will grow, and it goes without sayind, that you will form a bond that will make all the hardships worthwhile.