Becoming a foster carer, as told by foster carers

Fostering is a demanding yet rewarding career. If you’re thinking about it, you'll likely have lots of questions, including some about the process of becoming an approved foster carer. Here's some information about the process, as told by Calon Cymru foster carers!

The first step in the process is to make an enquiry. Once you’re ready to find out more, you can submit your details on our online form, call the office, or even speak to us on social media to let us know you’re interested in fostering. Once we have your details, we will give you a call, it will be a no-obligation, relaxed conversation where we will ask some questions to get to know you, as well as answer any questions that you may have.

“The person I spoke to was very reassuring on the phone, she was lovely and came across as really friendly and nice, and making that call was the scariest thing. I'm not great on the phone and to do that for me was a big hurdle, and knowing that the person on the other end of the phone was nice was just a massive tick in the box that we had done the right thing” – Calon Cymru foster carer, Lindzi

After the call, we’ll arrange to come visit you at home, where we can sit down and discuss fostering in more depth. We understand that you may still have lots of questions, so please make sure to ask. There is no such thing as a silly question! After the visit, if you would like to move forward and all parties agree that fostering is right for you, we will ask you to complete our application form.

“I spoke to Calon Cymru several times on the phone, when they came to visit the house, it just seemed right” – Calon Cymru foster carer, Michelle

After receiving your completed application form, we’ll assign you a social worker who will take you through your Form F assessment. The assessment usually takes between 4-6 months and includes several background checks, risk assessments, and references alongside lots of visits from your social worker, who will get to know you and your family really well. You will also be matched with a Calon Cymru ‘buddy’, who is an existing foster carer. As someone who has been through the process before, they’ll be there to help you with anything you may be stuck with.

“We felt we could ask our buddy the silly questions that we were worried about and didn’t want to ask our social worker. Our buddy we were given, we’re good friends with them now” – Calon Cymru foster carer, Dave

Whilst you’re going through your assessment, you’ll also be invited to our Skills to Foster course. You will attend alongside others who are going through the process to become Calon Cymru foster carers. The course aims to boost your existing knowledge and skills ready for the start of your new career as a foster carer. Skills to Foster is just the start of your training journey:

“We do lots of training, it has really helped. You can’t remember everything from it, but sometimes something can happen and you find yourself calling on something that you learned at training that one time.” – Calon Cymru foster carers, Tania and Edward

The penultimate stage of the process is to attend our panel, which is held at our Cardiff office. You’ll meet some of our staff, as well as the independent panel members, who will ask you a couple of questions about yourself and how you’ve found the process. Following your recommendations at panel, your application will go one step further, to our Agency Decision Maker.

“Once the Form F is completed it is read by a panel of people; including someone who has been in the foster system, a medical professional, social workers, a foster carer, plus the independent chairperson, the applicants will be invited to the Panel and the form will be approved and recommendations given for your suitability to foster. Your Assessor will be with you throughout this whole process. The recommendations will then go to the Agency Decision Maker, and you will hear formally of your acceptance to foster.” – Calon Cymru foster carer, Jane

Although the process of becoming a foster carer can often feel intense and intrusive, it can be a cathartic and enjoyable experience. If you would like to know more, or would like to join our friendly team of foster carers and change young lives across Wales get in touch.