Background Checks and References

Once you commence your journey to foster, you will be asked as part of your assessment to go through a number of background checks so that Swiis can ensure you are able and appropriate to undertake the role of foster carer.

Local Authority (LA) Record Check

In order to request your local authority check, Swiis will contact the local authority you currently reside in and each local authority for all previous addresses for the last 10 years.

The information your local authority will provide to us will include any involvement in services for children or vulnerable adults over the last 10 years or from when you first had children.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Swiis foster care requires all prospective foster carers to undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. In addition, all adults aged 18 plus, living in the household, will also require a DBS check to be undertaken. Due to the nature of fostering, Swiis requires the highest level of DBS check, the Enhanced DBS, which includes cautions, warnings, reprimands and spent or unspent convictions.

If there are any adults outside of your household who may have regular contact with the foster child (e.g. a parent or another member of your support network), an Enhanced DBS check may also be required.

Medical Assessment

Becoming a foster carer is considered a job, therefore, any prospective foster carer must be medically fit to work.

As part of your fostering application, you will need to undergo a medical assessment with your GP to check for any medical conditions that may impact your ability to care for children.

Your medical check will then also be sent to a medical advisor to sign off.

Pet Assessment

We will need to do a pet assessment if there are any pets within your household. Fostering a child with a pet can be rewarding and beneficial, however Swiis must ensure that the animal is safe and suitable for the foster child.

If you own a pet dog, we will need to check if their breed is banned under the Dangerous Dog Act, as owning a dangerous dog will prevent you from fostering.

Home Safety Assessment

We will need to ensure that your home is suitable and safe for a foster child by conducting a home check. This can include reviewing the home for safety, security, hazards and general maintenance.

Citizenship or Indefinite Leave

As part of your application, you will need to provide proof that you have either British citizenship or indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Friends

Swiis accepts references from your friends. It is important that your friends have known you (and your partner) for a significant period.

Family

Swiis will need to contact your (and your partners) adult birth children as part of the assessment process.  Children and young people in your household may also be spoken to by the assessor.

Adult Children from a Previous Relationship

If you have children from a previous relationship, or where you have co-parented your ex-partners children, we may need to contact them.

Employers

Swiis will require references from your current employer and every employer in which you have worked with children or vulnerable adults.

Ex-partners

We will require personal references from any previous significant partner (a relationship that lasted over two years, involved living together and/or having children or parenting together). If contacting a previous partner is not appropriate in your situation, the Swiis team can work with you to gain a reference from another person who knew you at the time.

Previous Fostering Agency

If you are transferring to Swiis from another fostering agency or local authority, we will need to contact them for a reference.  We will also need to contact any other Fostering Agency that you have made an enquiry with, regardless of whether or not your enquiry progressed.

Your Child’s School

If appropriate and depending upon the age of your child, we may need to contact your child’s school for their own reports.

Health Visitor

If you have any children who are under 5 years old, we may need to contact your Health Visitor for a reference.

Landlord

If you rent your property, Swiis will require permission from your landlord for you to foster a child in your home.

Overseas

If you have lived or worked overseas within the last 15 years, we may need to carry out an overseas check in the country you lived/worked in.

Armed Forces

If you were previously a member of the Army, Air Force or Navy, we will need to carry out a check.