Steps to becoming a foster carer

Contact us

You can do this by calling, emailing, applying online or attending an information session. We will give you information and establish if fostering might be right for you and your family.

Home visit

We will arrange to visit you at home, where we will talk to you in more detail about fostering and whether it is appropriate for you. 

Eligibility checks

 If we all agree to continue, we will ask your permission to carry out the checks needed for you to work with children. This includes police, health and other checks with your council. You will also be invited to preparation training called Skills to Foster.

Assessment by a social worker

A social worker will meet you several times to explore your motivation for fostering in detail, and how your experiences will help you look after a child or young person. We will also meet with your friends and family to see how they can support you as a foster carer. 

Fostering panel decision

When the assessment is complete, a report will be written by your social worker and shared with you. The report is then presented to Lewisham Fostering Panel. The panel is an independent group of people who decide whether to recommend that you become a foster carer. The recommendation will be presented to the decision-maker for consideration and approval.

Approval as a foster carer

As soon as you are approved as a Lewisham foster carer, you will be allocated a fostering social worker who will offer you continuous support, advice, training and supervision. From this stage, we will ask you to care for a child or young person.