Stavrina's journey through the assessment process and single parent fostering

The thorough assessment

Stavrina shared her experience of the fostering assessment process.

“The assessment process I found I was dreading because I always imagined it would be very daunting, long winded, very invasive and intrusive. But it was completely the opposite. I actually enjoyed the process and it made it feel quite real and how important it was – the steps that needed to be put in place, to become a foster carer. It was a bit of a whirlwind, but it was a nice process.”

The assessment process in fostering usually takes between 4-6 months, and can sometimes be seen as a difficult and lengthy process – but that is really not the case, as once you start finding out more about fostering and begin meeting regularly with your assessing social worker, many find the process becomes enjoyable and that time really does fly! Of course, it is also important to remember the importance of having a thorough assessment in order to make sure each family is suitable to foster, and that fostering is also right for them. Stavrina added:

"It was reassuring to see just how intense the process was. Making sure the property was safe, the room was the right environment for a child, thinking about all the different age groups… It was reassuring, and comforting.”

Another part of the fostering assessment that applicants can feel nervous about is the panel meeting, and Stavrina shared her apprehension around this part of the process:

“When I was attending panel I was thinking ‘oh my goodness, what's it going to be like?’ But it was just like having a normal conversation. They were just making sure I was right for what I was applying for, and that I had all the checks in place and I was doing it for the right reasons.”