Local authority checks for fostering

As part of the fostering assessment process, all fostering providers ask social care to confirm if the applicants have had any prior involvement with social workers.

Since each local authority holds separate information, checks will be required for all home addresses for at least the past 10 years. If fostering applicants have lived abroad for a period of time (usually at least 3 months), those checks are usually covered by police checks or character references provided by the country’s embassy.

Some providers, such as Sparks Fostering, ask applicants beforehand if anyone in the household has had involvement with social care. Dishonestly or omission of information could be sufficient cause to end the assessment, even if the reason for involvement isn’t a reason to end the assessment.

Consent to carry out the checks will be sought from applicants before any checks or references are applied for.

Other checks which are completed during the fostering assessment include ID checks (including proof of National insurance number), references (personal, family and work), police (DBS) checks for everyone age 18 or over in the household, health assessments, home health and safety checks, and pet assessments.

At Sparks Fostering, we give you a copy of the fostering assessment template at the start of your application so that you are able to see what checks and information are to be gathered before your assessment can be presented to panel.