Service Description: Fostering is substitute family care for children and young people who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to live with their own families. Services available via the Fostering Service are Long Term Fostering, Short Term Fostering, Respite Care, Day Care Providers, Family Link and Combined Accomodation Scheme (CAS). The service currently consists of 3 Units and a Fostering Duty Worker.
Answer: This is the final part of the Assessment process and also the beginning of your foster carer career. A foster carer becomes approved when the report written by the supervising social worker is presented to the ‘fostering panel’ that approve it. Once approved, you will become a fully fledged foster carer and it will not be long before you are approached to take a child who needs a temporary home. Approval entitles you to the full support of the fostering team as well as the weekly allowance which is paid for fostering children. Foster carers will be reviewed annually to monitor their progress as carers and also to identify any difficulties, support or training needs.