Freephone 0800 234 6282
Application process
I want to foster! How do I do it?

Application process

There are five parts to the application process to become a foster parent with St Christopher’s and it usually takes around six months to complete the process from start to approval.

As we are a small fostering agency, we can spend time supporting you during the application process.

When you’re a new carer, St Christopher's are with you for every step of the way – the application process, when a child moves in with you and when new situations arise that you aren’t sure how to manage yet.
Jo, foster carer

Make an enquiry

When you enquire about fostering with us, a member of our recruitment team will get in touch with you to chat about fostering. You can ask any questions you like, whether it’s about training, fostering payments or simply what type of children you would be looking after.

Click the button below to fill in a form where you can request a call back, or give us a ring on 0800 234 6282.

Information meeting

Once you’re ready to proceed with your enquiry, a member of our team will visit you at home so they can get to know you better and make sure you can provide somewhere safe for a young person to live. We will help you think about how to set up your spare bedroom ready for a young person.

Information meetings are also a chance for you to learn more about St Christopher’s and find out what we offer you in return for becoming one of our foster families.

During the pandemic, we are able to hold information meetings online. We closely follow government guidance so that we can keep you safe.

Application

The next step is your formal application to become a foster parent. Your social worker will help you complete the form, which you then submit to St Christopher’s.

Once we receive your application form, you enter the assessment stage. During this part of the application, we check the information you have provided. This is very important, as it helps us to ensure all our applicants are going to be brilliant foster families for our children and young people.

Fostering assessment

Throughout the assessment you will get to know your future social worker and the rest of our fostering team.

You will also attend introductory training at your local St Christopher’s office. This offers you the chance to meet current foster parents and other people at the start of their fostering journey.

Training doesn’t end after your assessment completes – you can regularly go on new courses and continue to develop your fostering skills.

Panel

This is the final stage of your application, when you are formally recommended for approval as a foster carer. Panel members include childcare professionals, specialists in areas such as health or education, care leavers and St Christopher’s staff. They may ask questions about your plans for fostering, and you can ask them anything too.

Congratulations! You are now ready to start fostering.

Still wondering if fostering is right for you? Explore what it’s really like to foster or read stories from our foster carers, their families and the children they care for below.

"My foster siblings have become lifelong friends"

Rianna’s family started fostering with St Christopher’s nearly 15 years ago, looking after children and young people from many different life experiences. For Sons and Daughters Month, she shares how being part of a ...

Enquire about fostering

If you’d rather call us yourself then please ring 01215253738 (West Midlands) or 01245 392102 / 01438 572257 (for East and South East).

Fostering stories

Enquire about fostering here