From Application to Placement

The Swiis fostering journey

Three foster children hugging

Swiis are there to support you from the very first point of contact, through your fostering application and approval and for all the placements you have. We will work with you every day to help you make a difference to a child’s life. The journey to becoming a foster carer, from application through to that exciting day when your first placement begins involves a very thorough process.

Swiis’ ultimate priority is to protect the wellbeing of both the children and our carers so the process to become a registered foster carer includes a number of rigorous checks and 4 days of pre-approval training.

Once the formal assessment begins, it will take between 12 and 16 weeks to complete and we achieve this for over 80% of our carer applicants, however the assessment can progress at a pace that suits you and we will adapt the process to meet your individual needs.

0 months
average time to become a Swiis Foster Carer
1

Stage One

When we receive your enquiry, a member of the fostering recruitment team will contact you to arrange a suitable time to undertake a telephone interview to gain further information about you, your family and explain the criteria for applying. Once this has been successfully completed we will send you an information pack and arrange a suitable time for a member of the fostering team to visit you at home.

If you are ready to undertake a telephone interview, you can request a call back.

2

Stage Two

A member of the fostering team will visit you and your family at home to undertake an Initial Home Visit, during which we will ask you lots of questions including your reasons for fostering, learn more about you and any family members who will be involved in the fostering application (or who live in the household) and will further ensure that your home will be able to accommodate a fostered child or young person. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. A report detailing recommendations is then submitted to our Foster Care Recruitment Team.

If successful at this stage, you will then be invited to attend the Day 1 Introduction to Fostering training. This day will assist you in making a decision as to whether you wish to progress to a formal application to foster and will cover both the rewards and challenges which you may face as a carer and the involvement of Swiis in supporting you. Should you wish to proceed, you will be asked to complete an application form for review. If you are a carer couple both carers will need to attend all preparation training.

3

Stage Three

Swiis will assign you a named, qualified social worker to carry out a fostering assessment with you and your family. This is a joint project and requires full participation from you and your family. During the assessment a number of statutory checks will be carried out. The assessment process normally takes about 4 months to complete, although we can move at a pace suitable to you.

As part of your assessment, we will carry out a series of statutory checks, including:

    • Enhanced DBS Check
    • Local Authority checks
    • NSPCC checks
    • Ex-partners (except in exceptional circumstances)
    • Children from previous relationships
    • Reference from current employer/fostering organisation/voluntary work
    • School/Health visitor reports for your own children (if appropriate)
    • Medical reports
    • At least 2 personal references
    • References from all previous employment involving children and vulnerable people
    • General risk assessment of your home
    • Recommendations for improving safety
    • Overseas checks (if appropriate)
4

Stage Four

During your assessment process you will be required to attend a further 3 days of training. This is mandatory and forms part of the assessment process. Feedback from the trainers for all training days will be reviewed and included as part of your assessment. Find out more about our Foster Care Training.

5

Stage Five

Your fostering assessment and the outcome of all your checks will be presented to the Fostering Panel, which includes a combination of professional and independent members. Main carers, as well as secondary carers are required to attend and respond to questions the Panel may have about the reasons you wish to become a foster carer. A recommendation as to whether you should be approved as a foster carer is made on the day by the Fostering Panel.

6

Stage Six

The final decision to approve you as a foster carer rests with the Agency Decision Maker. The ADM reviews all information and minutes of the panel meeting and makes a final judgement.

Once official approval has been given, Swiis will notify you, confirming who your social worker will be and will arrange for them to visit you at home as soon as possible. All relevant Local Authorities will be made aware of your availability as a foster carer and the placement team will begin matching you with your first foster child.

Recruitment Team

Operations Manager Ashley Holcombe

Ashley Holcombe

Recruitment Team Leader Sarah Kitson

Sarah Kitson

Emily Saunders Senior Foster Care Recruitment Coordinator

Emily Saunders

Recruitment Coordinator Rhiannon Payne

Rhiannon Payne

Recruitment Admin Beth Jones-Grimshaw

Beth Jones-Grimshaw

Recruitment Coordinator Kate Godwin

Kate Godwin

Start Your Fostering Journey

With thousands of children coming into foster care in the UK everyday, we urgently need foster carers more than ever.

Father and foster child fishing

Refer a Friend

Do you know anyone who would be a fantastic foster carer who has the skills and compassion to support a child or young person in need of a loving home?

Boys celebrating soccer goal