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The fostering process

If you think you could offer a child or young person a safe and secure home through foster care or would simply like to find out more about what is involved, please get in touch. We have an experienced and dedicated fostering team who are ready to answer any of your questions and to help you every step of the way.

Call HSC NI Adoption & Foster Care on 0800 0720 137 or make an online enquiry.

The Foster Care Process

Personal preparation

Do a little of your own foster care research by reading some books on the subjects, absorbing the profiles of our foster care community, and chatting to us to answer any initial questions you might have.

Contact us

We are here to help you; by our online enquiry form, or over the phone. Just get in touch and our foster care recruitment team can help you to get started.

Receive a call from a social worker from your local team

Within two days of contacting us, a social worker from one of our local teams will contact you to take you through the process and offer you support with any queries you have.

Meet with your local foster care social worker in your own home

You can expect to meet with your social worker within ten days of the earlier phone call. Consider this your opportunity to ask any questions you may have and to get to know the foster care process better.

Preparation course (Skills to Foster)

All enquiries will be invited to attend a preparation course within the next four weeks to educate on all aspects of foster care and to give you the opportunity to feel confident in your decision.

Submit your application

You should have all the information you need to complete and submit your full application to foster

Social work interviews

At this stage you will meet with your allocated social worker to assess your background, your support network, your lifestyle, your skills and experience, your relationships, and your family set up.

Foster care panel

An assessment of your application will be presented by your social worker to the foster care panel for review. We would encourage you to attend the foster care panel.