Fostering in Harrow

Discover the steps to becoming a foster carer. We will support you through your fostering journey from application to approval. We have regular fostering information sessions you may like to attend.

Step 1 - Make Contact

Call us on 020 8753 1064 or register here. An enquiry officer from Foster with West London will call you and an initial enquiry will be undertaken to learn more about you and your family. If you meet the criteria an initial home visit will be booked and a member of the Harrow Fostering Team will visit you.

Step 2 – Training

Attend our Skills-to-Foster 3-day course ( this could take place before or during Step 3.)

Step 3 - Assessment (Stage 1 and 2)

Once the initial home visit is carried out, a decision will be made to progress to Stage 1 , and you will be asked to complete an application form and consent to checks form. This includes statutory checks that will be carried out such as local authority, employment, DBS and medical checks.

You will be allocated a social worker to carry out an assessment of your background, life experiences and the qualities you would bring to fostering.  You, your partner and any members of your household, including children, will be part of the assessment. You and your social worker will explore the age and type of fostering that will best suit you and your family’s circumstances. This is called Stage 2.

We aim to complete Stages 1 and 2 within 4 to 6 months.

Step 4 – Approval

You (and your partner) will be invited to our Fostering Panel that will make a recommendation for your approval as a foster carer and the final decision will be made by the agency decision maker (ADM) shortly after. 

Step 5 - Pre-placement

You will be enrolled on our payment system and allocated a supervising social worker who will help you prepare yourself and your home for a child or young person.  You are now a registered foster carer who can welcome a child or young person into your home.