Fast Track Assessment For Foster Carers
We understand that each of our foster carers start their fostering journey at different positions in their life. Whether you are looking for a career change, facing unemployment due to redundancy or retirement, or are looking for a better work life balance, Swiis Foster Care Scotland have introduced a fast-track foster care assessment process to help you get started sooner. Choosing to undertake a quicker assessment will support the growing need of foster care arrangements for children and young people, by providing foster carers through a much faster process, without compromising the high level of checks and training required.
While Swiis already offer one of the quickest foster carer application processes, averaging just four months from enquiry to approval, our fast-track option can cut that time in half, allowing prospective foster carers to be fully approved in two months, (subject to receipt of checks and references).
Who is suitable for the fast-track application?
The fast-track application process is suitable for those who can dedicate a significant amount of time each week to the assessment process. You will need to be committed to participating in several face to face and virtual sessions with your independent fostering assessor during a short period of time. You will also be required to provide us with important information, including references, employment and medical history as part of our statutory checks, which must be submitted promptly to ensure your application progresses quickly.
As with any foster carer application, we allow foster carers to apply to foster from all walks of life. However, there are a few requirements needed to ensure you are suitable for fostering:
- Be aged over 21
- A spare room in your home
- The ability to work and not be medically signed off
- British Citizenship or indefinite leave to remain in the UK
- Enthusiasm, a positive outlook, and empathy
- Respect for diversity and individuality
- A willingness to learn from experiences and attend regular training
Benefits of the Fast Track Assessment with Swiis Foster Care Scotland
By joining Swiis Foster Care Scotland, you become part of a supportive network of foster carers who receive continuous guidance throughout their fostering journey. Swiis offers 24/7 support from a dedicated team of specialists, including experienced social workers, placement support workers, and advisors in behaviour, education, and health, ensuring you have the resources needed to make a positive impact on the lives of the children and young people you care for.
In addition to exceptional support, Swiis provides some of the highest foster carer allowances and payments, recognising and rewarding the ongoing skills and commitment of our foster carers.
With the fast-track assessment, you can qualify as a foster carer within just two months, giving you quicker access to both the supportive community and generous fostering allowances and payments that come with fostering with Swiis.
What is the difference between the fast track and the standard assessment process?
The fast-track assessment will cover all the same checks and training as the standard process, just in a shorter time.
The assessment will be undertaken via a number of face to face sessions, however virtual platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Facetime and WhatsApp video call can be used where required and will help to progress things faster and provide applicants more flexibility to join assessment sessions and training at times that suit you.
4 sessions of pre approval training are undertaken for all applicants. Day 1 training is undertaken prior to the commencement of the assessment to ensure that you receive the appropriate information and an opportunity to ask questions to one of our specialist fostering trainers, before deciding to progress towards a fostering career. Once your assessment has commenced, a further 3 training sessions are undertaken, normally during the first part of the assessment process. The pre approval training is undertaken via webinar, and provides you with an opportunity to talk to other fostering applicants across the UK who are also in the assessment process.
During the assessment, the fostering assessor is required to confirm that your home is appropriate for fostering and will make recommendations in respect of any adjustments that may be required. The assessor will also need to meet other family members who live at home and will be an ongoing part of the fostering household.
If you do not wish to consider the ‘fast track’ option, we are happy to undertake assessments via the normal process, which only takes an average of 4 months, however, we can work at whatever pace suits you and your circumstances.
How do fostering assessments work?
Fostering assessments are designed to build up a detailed picture of your family life, past and present.
The independent fostering assessor will need to meet all the family members who live in the household and will identify your existing skills and highlight areas where future training would benefit you, aiding new skills and strategies in readiness for your new fostering career.
The assessor will also make recommendations in respect of any adjustments which may be required to ensure your home is prepared to care for a child or young person.
At the end of the assessment period, you will be invited to attend an independent fostering panel with your independent fostering assessor. The meeting is undertaken so that your assessment can be reviewed and considered for approval by an independent panel of people from backgrounds such as childcare social work, child health and education, care experienced people and foster carers The independent assessor who undertook your assessment will present your assessment to the fostering panel who will ask you a number of questions.
The application and assessment process are governed by legislation, which we are required to carry out when assessing prospective foster carers.
Swiis endeavours to make the assessment process as easy and seamless as possible, however it is essential for applicants to work closely with both Swiis and the independent fostering assessor which will ensure that the assessment is undertaken seamlessly and in a timely manner.