What is a form f assessment in fostering?

‘Form F’ refers to the fostering assessment developed by CoramBAAF. The Fostering Network has also devised a fostering assessment referred to as the ‘Skills Assessment’. Sparks Fostering has devised its own bepsoke fostering assessment, which Ofsted assessed as ‘good quality, with strengths as well as vulnerabilities appropriately explored and evaluated’.

Fostering assessments are comprehensive; the template for the Sparks Fostering assessment is 48 pages, with additional documents embedded within. A completed assessment is around 120 pages long.

Some providers complete the majority of the paperwork on behalf of the applicant and have minimal expectations of applicants regarding administrative and IT skills. At Sparks Fostering applicants are required to complete a significant portion of the assessment themselves (with direction from agency staff): The applicant’s ability to complete some of the assessment serves as evidence that applicants will be capable of completing the appropriate recording keeping after approval.

The timescale for completing the assessments can vary between 3 months to a year. The length of time to complete assessments is affected by three main factors: The availability of the foster carers; the availability and efficiency of the fostering provider; and how long it takes for checks and references to be returned. At Sparks Fostering, all enquiries are responded to within two working days.