Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to give up my job to become a Foster Carer?

No, providing that you have the flexibility in your job to fit around a child or young person's needs. SWAN Fostering does not expect foster carers to give up their jobs as fostering is allowance based depending on the number of children or young people in your care.

What support will I get from SWAN Fostering?

SWAN Fostering values the work foster carers do and the contribution they make to the lives of children and young people. SWAN Fostering will offer the following support to all carers:

• Access to a Social Worker at SWAN Fostering 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year
• Supervision and support from a qualified and experienced Supervising Social Worker
• Home visit during the first week of placement – with a further option of a home-visit every week for a further two weeks if needed
• Minimum of one supervisory visit every four weeks for the first six-months of approval with The Agency, and then six-weekly thereafter
• Regular telephone contact from a staff member at SWAN Fostering whilst a child is with you
• Four weeks paid respite per year
• On-going training
• Support Groups
• Fun Days for foster carers and their families
• Financial support which values the skills of the foster carers
• Membership to Fostering Network. With this membership, all carers receive independent advice and have access to legal advice, which relates to fostering matters.  SWAN Fostering will pay for membership

How many bedrooms do I have to have?

Minimum of two bedrooms, with a bedroom available for the exclusive use of a looked after child. 

Who can apply to become a foster carer?

See our section Who can Become a Foster Carer for full details.  

Do I have to be married to foster?

Foster Carers can be single or a couple, they do not need to be married.

What qualifications would I need to foster?

There are no formal qualification requirements to become a foster carer. SWAN Fostering offers an extensive training and development programme to all our foster carers to support them on their fostering journey. See our section Training and Development for full details.

What would I have to do to become a foster carer?

See our useful guide: The Process of Recruiting and Approving Foster Carers

Where can I get more information?

Contact our dedicated team of professionals for further information.

What is a Panel?

Once your assessment and all the checks have been completed, the paperwork will be presented to our Fostering Panel.  The Panel consists of: a Chairperson; Agency Advisor; a social worker and a minimum of three independent members, that includes representatives from health and education professions. You are invited to attend Panel and you will be asked some questions so that they can clarify any information with you. 

The Panel will make recommendations about suitability to be approved as foster carers with SWAN Fostering.  The Chairperson will inform you of the outcome of their recommendation on the same day.  The recommendation will go to the Agency decision maker at SWAN Fostering - who will make the final decision and have this communicated to you by letter within five working days of your Panel date. 

What checks do you do?

• Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
• Local Authorities where applicants currently live and have previously lived
• Current and Past Employers
• Nominated Referees who will provide written references and also be interviewed as part of the assessment process. 
• The Local Authority or voluntary provider
• G.P.
• SWAN Fostering Agency Medical Advisor
• Youth Offending Team
• Probation
• Independent Safeguarding Authority
• Education Authority
• Previous spouse/partner where children are born to the relationship (where appropriate) and adult children. This will be discussed further with you prior to initiating an interview.
• Any other check/reference deemed necessary (where appropriate).  This will be discussed further with you prior to initiating the check/reference.
• CRB forms will be obtained on all members of the household aged 16 years and over and other regular visitors to the home
• Where the applicants have previously worked in an environment where there have been vulnerable adults or children, or have previously fostered for a Local Authority or Agency, written references will be taken up. Where there have been previous assessments by another Local Authority or Agency, an Assessment by SWAN Fostering will still need to be undertaken.

What happens after I am approved? 

If you are approved, you will be issued with a Foster Carers Handbook, and you will be required to read and sign a Foster Carer Agreement with SWAN Fostering.  You will be invited to attend an Induction Day where you will meet all the staff members at SWAN Fostering. You will be allocated a supervising social worker who will provide you and your family with support and guidance on all aspects of fostering.