(Last reviewed 30/05/2025)
Underpinning Legislation
(All statutory references are reproduced verbatim and in full compliance with the instruction not to alter legal wording.)
- Fostering Services Regulations 2011
- Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010
- Placement of Children (General) Regulations 1991
- Fostering National Minimum Standards, Fostering Services Regulations 2011
- Children Act 1989, 2004
- Vetting & Barring Procedures 2009
- DBS Privacy Policy 2015
- Equality Act 2010
Purpose of this Policy
This document guides staff in making fair, trauma-informed, and child-centred decisions about the suitability of prospective foster carers (“enquirers”). It provides a consistent framework while recognising that every family situation is unique; therefore, professional judgement—grounded in empathy, evidence, and best practice—remains essential for any circumstances not explicitly covered here.
Who Should Use this Document
- All Positive Aspirations Group staff, including employees of Greater London Fostering (GLF), Fostering Hearts (FH), and South Coast Fostering (SCF).
- Independent social workers commissioned to undertake:
- Initial visits;
- “Skills to Foster” or “Introduction to Fostering” training;
- Form F assessments, whether working directly for Positive Aspirations or on an independent basis.
- Enquirers or prospective foster carers and approved Foster Carers to enhance transparency and empowerment.
Our Approach to Recruiting Foster Carers
Children’s wellbeing and safety are paramount. To provide the best possible matches, we actively seek foster carers from diverse backgrounds, cultures, faiths, and family structures. A broad and inclusive pool of carers enables us to meet each child’s individual identity and support needs.
Geographic Coverage
The Positive Aspirations Group operates across southern England and the Midlands through three region-specific agencies:
| Agency | Primary Recruitment Area (illustrative, not exhaustive) |
| Greater London Fostering (GLF) | All London boroughs, including areas within the North and South Circular roads |
| Fostering Hearts (FH) | Counties north of the M4 and outside the M25 such as Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Peterborough, Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, Norfolk, Suffolk, Warwickshire, West Midlands |
| South Coast Fostering (SCF) | Regions south of the M4 and M25 including Surrey, Kent, Medway, Hampshire, East & West Sussex, Isle of Wight, Dorset, Wiltshire |
Note: Enquirers located just beyond these boundaries are welcome to discuss their circumstances with us so we can assess our ability to provide consistent support and supervision.
Families Transferring From Other Services
- We extend a warm welcome to households currently approved by other fostering providers who wish to transfer to Positive Aspirations.
- Our transfer process prioritises continuity of care for any children already in placement, minimising disruption and ensuring all statutory notifications are completed in partnership with the placing authority and the current fostering service.
- Internal transfers (between GLF, FH, and SCF) follow the Positive Aspirations Group Intra-Agency Transfer Process, which balances safer-recruitment compliance with proportionality—avoiding unnecessary duplication of information already held.
Decision-Making Framework
We apply a two-stage lens:
- Statutory Requirements – compliance with all relevant legislation and guidance listed above.
- Capacity to Meet Children’s Needs – assessing whether we are likely to receive referrals that align with an enquirer’s skills, location, and support network.
If it appears unlikely that we can place children with an enquirer in a timely or sustainable way, we will explain this transparently, reaffirm their potential value, and signpost alternative fostering providers or related opportunities.
Key Considerations
| Area | Trauma-Informed Rationale & Practice |
| Location | Adequate proximity to supervising social workers, support groups, and training venues ensures carers can access responsive help—promoting felt safety for both carers and children. We also review local authority referral patterns to avoid leaving carers without suitable matches. |
| Stability | Caring for children who have experienced significant adversity requires carers to have secure housing, sustainable finances, and emotionally supportive relationships. We therefore explore any current life transitions (e.g., recent house moves, new relationships, new baby) to ensure carers have sufficient capacity and resilience. Where timing is a concern, we invite enquirers to re-contact us once circumstances have settled. |
Initial Call Guidance
During the first conversation—usually by phone—a Recruitment Officer or Social Worker will:
- Provide an accessible introduction to fostering, including the rewards, responsibilities, and support available.
- Complete an initial viability screen (outlined below).
- Highlight the benefits of fostering with Positive Aspirations, tailored to the enquirer’s situation.
- Offer space for questions, ensuring the enquirer feels respected and informed.
- Agree next steps (information pack, home visit, or closure with signposting), documenting the outcome clearly.
Criteria for Closing an Enquiry at Initial Call
Closure decisions are never taken lightly and will always be explained using compassionate, non-stigmatising language. An enquiry may be closed if any of the following apply:
- No spare bedroom (except for “baby-only” carers within London boroughs, where co-sleeping regulations differ).
- Immigration status: Neither enquirer holds British citizenship, indefinite leave to remain, or EU Settled Status. (If applying as a couple, we can proceed where at least one applicant meets these criteria and the partner can evidence lawful residence.)
- Disqualifying convictions: Any offence of a sexual nature or violence against a child (see full Disqualified Person List).
- Recent serious convictions (e.g., violent crime, fraud, drink-driving) indicating continuing risk or instability.
- Residence outside agency recruitment areas (see Geographic Coverage).
Where appropriate, we will advise enquirers of alternative fostering agencies or related volunteering roles that may better suit their circumstances.
5. Introduction to Fostering Workshop
The Introduction to Fostering workshop is a collaborative, information-sharing session that helps prospective foster carers decide whether fostering—and fostering with Positive Aspirations—is the right path for them.
5.1 Purpose
- Offer an honest overview of the rewards, challenges, and supports associated with fostering.
- Encourage open dialogue so participants feel safe to voice hopes, worries, and questions.
- Enable an informed, unpressured decision about progressing to assessment.
5.2 Attendance
| Who Must Attend | Trauma-Informed Rationale |
| Every individual making a first-time enquiry to foster | Ensures equal access to accurate information and supports empowered choice. |
| Both applicants in a couple | Fostering affects the whole household; joint attendance promotes shared understanding and cohesion. |
| Other adult household members and birth children aged 16 + (optional) | Involving key family members fosters transparency, reduces anxiety, and builds a supportive home culture for future placements. |
Exemptions
Current foster carers (or those who have fostered within the past two years) may be exempt, recognising their existing knowledge; however, they are welcome to attend for agency-specific information.
Commitment
Participation in the workshop does not oblige either the prospective foster carer or Positive Aspirations to progress to assessment.
6. Virtual Initial Home Visit
Every enquirer will receive a virtual visit—either before or after the workshop—conducted by a Recruitment Social Worker. The conversation follows the Initial Home Visit (IHV) template and typically lasts 60–90 minutes.
6.1 What the Visit Covers
- Relationship-building and consent
- Clarify the purpose of the call and obtain verbal consent for each element, including any recording.
- Guided tour of the home
- With consent, a live walk-through is recorded only for the portion showing the property layout. The file is stored securely on Positive Aspirations’ system and deleted when no longer required.
- Observations focus on safety and capacity, never on décor or affluence.
- Assessment pathway and timelines
- Discuss references (personal, employment, ex-partner), Local Authority checks, DBS, medicals, and anticipated timeframes.
- Open Q&A
- Encourage enquirers to raise concerns, reinforcing psychological safety and partnership.
6.2 Indicators Requiring Further Exploration or Potential Deferral
- Significant hygiene or safety hazards that cannot be promptly remedied (e.g., unsecured weapons, structurally unsafe areas).
- Animals presenting unmanaged risk (e.g., prohibited breeds, history of aggression).
- Evidence of instability that may impede trauma-responsive caregiving (to be considered in context, not judged in isolation).
Where concerns arise, the worker will explain them respectfully, agree action steps or timescales, and provide signposting if appropriate.
7. Accommodation & Bedroom Sharing
7.1 Core Principles
- Every child deserves a physically safe, emotionally warm, and privacy-respecting living space.
- Decisions about room use must incorporate each child’s voice, wishes, and feelings, mitigated by safeguarding considerations.
7.2 General Standards
| Requirement | Detail |
| Cleanliness & Repair | The home should be well-maintained and inviting; any identified health-and-safety risks must be resolvable. |
| Building Compliance | Conversions/extensions must meet Building Regulations and planning requirements. |
| Bedroom Size | Space must allow a suitable bed, storage for belongings, and an area for study or play. |
7.3 Beds and Sharing Guidelines
| Age / Situation | Bed & Bedroom Expectations |
| All children | Must have their own bed. |
| Top bunk | Not for children under 6 years. |
| Bunk beds for 14 + | Only if designed for adult use. |
| Foster child sharing | Not with birth children or unrelated foster children. |
| Sibling-group sharing | Considered only after a thorough safety and privacy assessment, documented in the Form F and Placement Plan. |
| Birth children (different genders) | Own bedroom from age 8 (a room must also be available for same-gender siblings from age 5 even if not regularly used). |
| Foster carer sharing with baby | Permitted up to age 3 where specifically approved; “baby-only” carers are recruited case-by-case based on regional need and carer capacity. |
7.4 Impact on Existing Household Members
Prospective carers should not pressure birth children to relinquish personal space. If room moves are proposed, the recruitment worker will ensure children’s wishes and feelings are explored sensitively before application.
8. Time & Availability for Fostering
Caring for children recovering from trauma requires consistent presence, flexibility, and reliable support networks.
8.1 Working & Caring Commitments
- At least one applicant in a couple must have sufficient daytime availability for meetings, contact, appointments, and unexpected events.
- Paid employment is compatible with fostering if flexibility exists; fixed child-minding commitments are generally incompatible due to referral confidentiality.
- Prospective carers must consider school-run routines, exclusions, and holiday periods. Local Authorities may restrict routine use of breakfast/after-school clubs.
8.2 Health, Pregnancy & New Babies
- Where a household is expecting a baby, or has a child under 1 year, application should be deferred until the baby is 12 months old to safeguard parental wellbeing and capacity.
8.3 Training & Development
- Attendance at all mandatory pre-approval training—by both applicants in a couple—is essential. Post-approval, carers engage in an ongoing programme tailored to the needs of the children they care for.
8.4 Wider Responsibilities
Recruitment workers will explore other regular commitments (e.g., caring for grandchildren, voluntary roles, faith activities) and help carers plan realistic support solutions, such as identifying an assessed back-up carer within the family network.
9. Language, Literacy, Numeracy & Digital Skills
9.1 Trauma-Informed Principle
Clear, compassionate communication is central to helping children heal from trauma, advocating for their rights, and coordinating professional support.
9.2 Core Requirements
Prospective foster carers must demonstrate effective spoken and written English (or Welsh, where relevant) plus practical numeracy and IT skills sufficient to:
| Competency | Why It Matters for Children & Partnership |
| 1 – Communicate directly with the child or young person | Builds trust, promotes felt safety, and ensures the child’s voice is truly heard. |
| 2 – Advocate on the child’s behalf | Enables carers to articulate needs confidently to schools, health services, and social care. |
| 3 – Use a language the child understands whenever in their presence | Prevents exclusion, reduces anxiety, and models respect. |
| 4 – Maintain accurate, timely records | Contributes to a secure life-story, safeguarding, and continuity of care. |
| 5 – Complete training (e.g., TSD Standards) | Ensures compliance and consistent professional development. |
| 6 – Manage disclosures safely | Protects children, carers, and evidential integrity. |
| 7 – Work effectively with professionals | Promotes integrated, multi-agency support. |
| 8 – Support education and learning | Encourages academic progress and digital resilience. |
All applicants must:
- Use email and basic digital platforms for routine communication.
- Possess, or be willing to develop, foundational social-media awareness to safeguard children online.
- Commit to seeking support (e.g., literacy tuition, IT tutorials) if gaps are identified during assessment; the agency will signpost resources.
10. Application Form Guidance
- Eligibility to Apply
- An application form is offered only after completion of both the Introduction to Fostering workshop (unless exempt) and the Initial Home Visit (virtual or in-person).
- Professional Dialogue
- Where concerns arise, the Recruitment Worker shares them transparently with the applicant and consults the Registered Manager (RM). A second-opinion visit may be arranged—carried out by an Assessment-Team Social Worker or Supervising Social Worker—to ensure fairness and proportionality.
- Pet Considerations
- A professional dog (or pet) assessment may be required; see Dog & Pet Policy.
- Quality Check & Allocation
- On receipt, the Recruitment Team reviews the form for completeness, then forwards it to the Assessment Manager and/or RM for allocation to an assessing social worker.
11. Pre-Approval Training
11.1 Training Pathway
| Stage | Content & Purpose | Attendance |
| A. Introduction to Fostering | Foundation overview (see Section 5) | Mandatory prior to application (unless exempt) |
| B. Skills to Foster | – Core fostering tasks – Understanding behaviours & underlying trauma – Safe caring & safeguarding – Diversity, identity, transitions – Reflecting on impact for the whole family | Mandatory; both applicants in a couple attend together where possible |
| C. Birth-Children Workshop | Age-appropriate session for birth children 8 + | Strongly encouraged; invitation issued automatically |
Courses are co-facilitated by an experienced trainer and a current foster carer, blending theory with lived insight. Facilitators provide written feedback to inform the Form F.
11.2 Mandatory E-Learning / Zoom Modules (pre-panel)
- Paediatric First Aid
- Positive Parenting
- Safeguarding & Safer Care (incl. Allegations)
- Health & Hygiene – Caring for the Whole Child
- Health & Safety in the Fostering Home
- Renew every three years.
- Access via the agency-specific links below (type full course title in the search bar):
- Many courses are also delivered live via Zoom; consult the training calendar for dates.
- Additional optional sessions are offered so applicants can learn from existing carers’ experience.
12. Assessment Process Overview
Positive Aspirations completes Stage 1 (statutory checks) and Stage 2 (home study) concurrently to meet our four-month target—well within the regulatory eight-month limit.
| Stage | Focus | Key Trauma-Informed Safeguards |
| 1 – Statutory & Safety Checks | DBS (inc. international police checks), medicals, personal/employment & ex-partner references, Local Authority checks, previous fostering/adoption references | Transparent risk assessment discussed with applicants; copied to Panel where applicable. |
| 2 – Form F Home Study | Family history, support networks, parenting style, diversity & identity awareness, motivation, resilience | Reflective, strength-based interviews; applicants can pause or withdraw at any time. |
12.1 Regulatory Milestones
- 10 working days: Agency decides if Stage 1 information indicates progression to Stage 2 (unless stages run concurrently, which is usual).
- 15 working days: Previous provider/adoption agency must supply reference material on request.
- 8 months: Statutory maximum to conclude assessment or close and invite re-application when circumstances permit.
12.2 Updates & Re-Assessments (Approved Carers)
| Scenario | Action | Panel / ADM Involvement |
| Address / phone change only | “Assessment Update” | Form F updated; not presented to Panel. |
| Address change plus bedroom variation or new adult in household | “Re-assessment” | Presented to Panel to confirm terms of approval. |
| Significant life change (e.g., new long-term partner) | “Re-assessment”; see New Partner Policy | Panel & ADM review ongoing suitability. |
Approved single carers forming a new relationship must notify the agency promptly so safeguarding checks can be completed. Where the partner becomes a regular overnight presence, a full couple assessment is required.
12.3 Ending Assessments Early
Either party may withdraw during any stage. Where checks reveal a disqualifying factor, assessment ceases immediately and the reason is shared with the applicant empathetically and in writing. If extenuating circumstances delay progress, the assessor will agree a plan with the applicant to keep within statutory timescales.
13. Health & Lifestyle Considerations
Promoting a household culture of physical health, emotional wellbeing, and positive lifestyle choices is vital for children recovering from trauma.
13.1 Stage 1 Medical Assessment
- Medical Form & GP Appointment
- Each applicant receives a fostering-medical form to complete and take to their GP.
- The GP’s report is forwarded to the Positive Aspirations Medical Adviser for an independent view.
- Purpose
- To confirm that the applicant is physically and mentally fit for fostering and able to model healthy routines—nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene—that help children thrive.
- Alcohol
- Carers are expected to stay within nationally recommended consumption limits.
13.2 Smoke-Free Homes
| Requirement | Trauma-Informed Rationale |
| No smoking inside the property by carers, household members, or visitors | Protects children’s developing lungs, reinforces safety, and models healthy coping strategies. |
| Applicants who smoke tobacco are not considered for children under 5 | Young lungs are especially susceptible to harm; aligns with medical evidence. |
| E-cigarettes / vapes: Same smoke-free guidance applies, but carers who vape may still be considered for under-fives | Reflects current evidence and balanced risk assessment. |
Applicants are encouraged to plan smoke/vape arrangements responsibly. See Smoking & E-Cigarettes Policy.
13.3 Medical Outcomes
Where the Medical Adviser raises concerns, the Recruitment Manager will discuss them openly with the applicant and agree whether to proceed, defer, or cease the assessment.
14. References & Verification Checks
14.1 Former Fostering or Adoption Experience
- Written references and file access are requested from any previous fostering service or adoption agency.
- Assessors review at least the last two annual fostering-review reports (where available) plus training records, allegations, and safeguarding history.
14.2 Personal References
| Applicant Type | Number Requested | Interviewed (minimum) |
| Single applicant | 4 (max 1 family member) | 2 |
| Couple | 3 each (max 1 family member each) | 4 total |
Assessors may interview additional referees to triangulate information when necessary.
Assessor will verify the identity of referees at the start of the interview by sight of recognised identification.
14.3 Professional & Other References
- Current employer (and any former employer/volunteer role involving children or vulnerable adults).
- Ex-partner references are generally sought and interviewed.
- If domestic abuse or other risk factors make direct contact unsafe, an alternative witness from the same period is required.
- Education, child-minder, military, or any other checks the agency deems relevant.
15. Stage 2 – Qualitative Home Study
Stage 2 runs concurrently with Stage 1 checks to minimise delay.
15.1 Interview Schedule
- 5–8 sessions with applicants, at least 4 in person.
- Additional interviews/observations for:
- All other adult household members (including lodgers),
- Birth children (living at home or independently),
- Proposed enhanced-support network members,
- Regular visitors where safeguarding relevance is identified.
Regular adult visitors (monthly or more) do not automatically require a DBS, but foster carers must notify their Supervising Social Worker (SSW); overnight visitors always trigger a risk review.
15.2 Accommodation & Safety
- Health-and-Safety checklist (including pet risk assessment) completed; rooms prepared for the proposed approval category before panel unless otherwise agreed.
- Renters must supply written landlord consent. Temporary accommodation is not accepted.
- Baby/toddler approvals require suitable equipment in place.
15.3 Methods Used
Discussion, written exercises, role-play, scenarios, games, and multimedia resources—all designed to explore insight, resilience, and trauma-informed caregiving capacity.
15.4 Applicant Review & Panel
- Once the assessor and Recruitment Manager deem the Form F complete, the full report—minus confidential third-party material—is shared with applicants for factual accuracy.
- Applicants cannot alter the assessor’s professional analysis but may clarify factual points.
- Final report presented to Fostering Panel; both applicants attend alongside the assessor and may be consulted by the Positive Aspirations Children’s Council.
16. Fostering Panel & Approval Decision
16.1 Completeness of Documentation
Positive Aspirations will not present an application to Panel unless all required checks, references, and medical information are on file. If any item is outstanding, the booking is deferred until the information is received and deemed satisfactory.
16.2 Panel Composition & Function
- The Fostering Panel comprises employees of Positive Aspirations and independent members with complementary expertise, ensuring balanced, child-focused recommendations.
- Responsibilities include:
- Reviewing new applications, re-assessments, and variations of approval.
- Recommending whether applicants are suitable to foster and specifying approval terms (age range, number of children, additional conditions).
- Panel’s recommendation is forwarded to the Agency Decision Maker (ADM), who makes the final decision within statutory timescales.
16.3 Trauma-Informed Panel Experience
Applicants are:
- Briefed in advance on the purpose and structure of Panel to reduce anxiety.
- Invited and encouraged to attend in person (or via secure video) so their voice is heard.
- Given respectful questioning, focused on strengths as well as areas for development.
- Provided with same-day verbal feedback and timely written confirmation of the ADM decision.
17. Induction for Newly Approved Foster Carers
Upon approval, carers enter a structured Induction Programme (see Induction of Foster Carers Policy and Guidance) which:
| Component | Purpose |
| Welcome meeting with Supervising Social Worker | Establishes support relationship and clarifies first-month expectations. |
| Mandatory e-learning refreshers | Embeds safeguarding, trauma, and diversity principles from day one. |
| Peer-mentor pairing | Connects new carers with an experienced foster carer for informal support. |
| Review of Safe-Caring Plan | Ensures household-specific safeguarding measures are understood by all family members. |
18. Ending Assessments
An assessment may cease at any stage for several reasons, including but not limited to:
- Non-disclosure of key information (e.g., local-authority involvement, criminal convictions).
- Offences on the Disqualified Person List relating to any household member.
- Adverse medical, safeguarding, or reference information.
- Persistent difficulties working in partnership or understanding trauma-related behaviours.
- Inadequate availability, support networks, housing security, or unmanaged debt/rent arrears.
- Significant unmanaged health concerns.
18.1 Stage-Specific Processes
| Stage | Notification & Rights |
| Stage 1 (statutory checks) | Applicant receives written explanation. No right of appeal to the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM), but may use the Positive Aspirations Complaints Procedure to challenge process. |
| Stage 2 (home study) | Applicant receives a brief report outlining reasons not to proceed, has opportunity to submit written comments, and may attend Panel. Panel’s recommendation and the ADM decision are subject to IRM appeal rights. |
Where Stage 1 and Stage 2 issues overlap, Stage 2 procedures apply to ensure applicants have full representation rights.
19. Appeals & Independent Review Mechanism (IRM)
19.1 Internal Complaints
- Enquirers who have not yet applied, or whose assessment ends at Stage 1, may raise concerns through the Positive Aspirations Complaints Procedure.
- The complaint examines how the enquiry or assessment was handled, not the professional judgement on suitability.
19.2 Stage 2 Applicants – Routes to Challenge
Within 28 days of receiving Panel’s recommendation letter, applicants may choose:
| Option | Action Required | Outcome |
| 1 | Take no action | ADM considers Panel recommendation and issues final decision. |
| 2 | Write to the ADM requesting reconsideration and providing additional evidence | Panel re-considers; ADM makes final decision after second recommendation. |
| 3 | Apply to the IRM (Secretary of State) for an independent review | External panel re-examines the case and issues a recommendation; ADM then makes final decision. Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/independent-review-mechanism |
19.3 Trauma-Informed Support During Appeals
- Applicants are signposted to independent advice services and may bring a supporter or advocate to meetings or Panel.
- Written communication is clear, jargon-free, and explains timescales and next steps to reduce uncertainty.
- The agency maintains respectful dialogue, acknowledging the emotional impact of endings or appeals on applicants and their families.
