The initial checks include:
- Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG)
- medicals
- references
- strengths and any vulnerabilities you may have
What happens during the visit
A fostering and adoption worker will make a number of visits to your home and will get to know you by exploring your:
- family background
- childhood experiences
- relationship history
- present circumstances
If you are a couple
We will see you together and individually. If you have any birth children, your worker will meet with them to gain their views on fostering and adoption.
At the end of the home study
You and your fostering and adoption worker will review the report. The report includes a detailed assessment of you as a potential adoptive parent or foster carer. It will include consideration of your medical, disclosure, personal and employment references.
A key part of the report is for you and your worker to decide the sort of child or children you feel you could care for. Could you, for example - look after a child with a physical or learning difficulty? Or a sibling group? What age range would you consider?
The home study can be emotionally challenging and feel intrusive for some, but others have found it to be rewarding. It will take several months to complete. To be an adoptive or foster carer requires a significant commitment from you and your family and requires a great deal of thought.