Children and young people

Two basic requirements for all new foster carers are:

• they can satisfy the requirements of statutory checks and references, including police and medical checks;
• they can offer a separate room and space for a child or young person.

It is unlikely that someone will be considered as applicants at the present time if:

• they are pregnant, have a child under one year old or are undergoing fertility treatment;
• they are experiencing serious financial problems;
• they are planning to move house within the next six months;
• they and their partner work full time and both wish to continue to do so;
• they have suffered a significant loss within their household over the last 12 months, such as separation or the death of a spouse or child;
• as a couple, they have been in their present relationship for less than two years.

People will not be considered for approval if:

• they or any member of their household has a serious criminal conviction;
• their accommodation is not permanent, such as a short-term or seasonal tenancy;
• they already foster for another local authority or agency;
• they have applied to adopt a child and are waiting for approval;
• they have a child of their own being looked after by a local authority.

Foster carers are chosen from a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and come from all walks of life. Single people and couples are considered. Personal qualities such as patience, flexibility and tolerance, with the ability to remain calm in testing and difficult circumstances, are needed.

Foster carers will be interested in children and committed to working in partnership with their parents and other people who are significant in the child or young person’s life. They need to be energetic and a sense of humour is a great asset.

In order for fostering to succeed, it is vital that the whole family supports the idea, as each family member will have an important contribution to make.

What happens next?

It is important to be aware that both parties can withdraw from this process at any stage.

Once someone has decided to apply to become a foster carer with Medway Council and has completed their application, the following happens:

• Stage 1:  they will be invited to an open evening. This will offer further information and a chance to meet existing foster carers and the opportunity to ask further questions about fostering;
• Stage 2:  on receipt of a completed further fostering questionnaire, which is distributed at the open evening, the council informs them of its decision. It may decide not to continue or alternatively arrange to visit the applicant in their own home to discuss their application;
• Stage 3:  with the applicant's permission, statutory checks and requests for references will be made to the police, probation service, employer, school, health visitor (where appropriate), building society and three personal referees. They will be asked to attend for a medical with their own doctor, which is paid for by the council;
• Stage 4:  attendance at a Choosing to Foster preparation course;
• Stage 5:  home assessment of the applicant and their family. This is done over a number of visits within their home. Applicants and family members contribute to this assessment;
• Stage 6:  a completed assessment form is submitted to Medway Council’s Fostering Panel. Subject to the panel’s agreement, the applicant will be approved and registered as a Medway Council foster carer;
• Stage 7:  approved foster carers are able to foster immediately.

How to make a fostering application

Contact the council at the address below for an application form or apply using the online form.

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