Computer skills of foster carers

Sparks Fostering is a ‘paper free’ organisation, which means that all documents are stored online – either on computers or secure web-based databases. For any documents that need wet/pen signatures, the documents are scanned and uploaded to our computers or emailed via secure email.

Applicants are required to have their own laptop and mobile phone; also, it is expected that they can communicate by phone, text, email, video call and of course in person (individually and in group settings). Applicants would also be required to complete documents (such as assessment questionnaires and foster carer records), using Word software.

Spelling and grammar isn’t a concern, as long as the message is conveyed effectively. If adaptive technology is required, such as text to speech software, Sparks Fostering would make reasonable adjustments.