Recruitment of Foster Carers

Foster Carers

Recruitment of Foster Carers

On receiving an enquiry, Acorn Fostering Services requests information about the applicant and provides information about fostering. An initial discussion takes place in the applicant’s own home with an Acorn social worker. Completion of an application form involves obtaining detailed information about them and their family and their consent for us to complete necessary checks and enquiries to ascertain their suitability to foster. Acorn Fostering Services obtains references from

DBS checks are carried out on all members of the family aged 18 years and over and other regular adult visitors. Applicants are required to have a medical examination completed by their GP and the report is made available to Acorn’s Medical Advisor for his/her comments about their health.

Applicants are asked to identify at least three personal referees who will provide written references and be interviewed in person as part of the assessment process. A qualified social worker carries out a full assessment. He/she visits the applicant at their home, over the period of assessment to meet and collect information about all members of their household and their experiences and skills in relation to fostering.

The information obtained forms the basis of an assessment report. Acorn Fostering Services uses the “Form F” format published by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) for this purpose.