How Foster Care Works

01 : DCPU invites application from potential foster carers (PFCs) and provides Application form on request

02 : PFC completes Application form and returns to DCPU

03 : DCPU acknowledges receipt and calls the PFC to give information about fostering and take some basic information – Complete Initial Enquiry Form (Annexure UGFC 1)

04 : DCPU in consultation with PFC, and managers if appropriate, decides whether to proceed to next step – Initial Home Visit

05 : DCPU visits family, meets both PFCs and gathers information on Home visit Form (Annexure UGFC 2)

06 : DCPU in consultation with family and managers if appropriate makes decision whether to end process or continue to next stage- Home Study (Form 30) and Psychosocial Assessment.

07 : PFCs are given Self Assessment(Part 1 of Home Study) to complete and asked to sign Consent to checks and references (Annexure UGFC 3) (giving consent for police records checks and references) and to undertake a medical examination for themselves and all children of the family.

08 : Other adult family members also sign Consent to Checks and References (Annexure UGFC 4) giving consent to Police record checks, and agreement to undertake a medical examination

09 : Case allocated to social worker to assess the family

10 : DCPU undertakes references and refers to CWC to order Police Records Checks and medical examinations

11 : PFC returns Self Assessment (Part 1 of Home Study) to DCPU

12 : Social worker arranges visits to family to complete Part 2 of Home Study (Form 30) and Psychosocial Assessment (Annexure UGFC 5) Also Health and Safety Assessment of the home (Annexure UGFC 6)

13 : When completed and all police checks, medicals and references returned, DCPU make a decision to recommend family for approval (or not)

14 : Home study, parts 1 and 2 and Psychosocial assessment (Annexure UGFC 5) sent to CWC to consider

15 : CWC after reading reports, meets with PFC and recommends approval (or not)

16 : If approved, DCPU lists as family available for placement and children will be considered