Fostering agencies are lawfully required to perform stringent background checks on their foster carers. This is one of the key ways they ensure that fostered children are safeguarded sufficiently.

If you’re considering becoming a foster carer, you need to know about these background checks. As you will be looking after vulnerable children, you will be subject to comprehensive background screening.

So, what checks will you go through?

Disclosure and Barring Service Checks

More commonly known as DBS Checks, these are checks on your criminal record. Due to the nature of foster care, the highest level of DBS Check is required. These are called Enhanced DBS Checks.

Enhanced DBS Checks reveal the most comprehensive level of information. They include:

Spent or unspent convictions
Cautions
Warnings
Reprimands
A search of the Barred Lists

The Barred Lists aren’t always included on Enhanced DBS Checks. The role needs to meet certain criteria for these searches to be added.

In the case of foster carers, a search of the Children’s Barred List will always be included on the check. This search will check whether you’ve ever been barred from working with children.

Local Authority Checks

Foster agencies conduct checks with local authorities to establish whether you have had any dealings with social services or child protection. These checks usually cover the last ten years.

Medical Checks

Prospective foster carers usually have to undergo a medical assessment with their GP as part of the application process. This is to highlight any conditions that may impact your ability to provide care for children. Having a condition won’t necessarily stop you from becoming a foster carer but it needs to be considered.

Reference Checks

Foster agencies carry out a range of reference checks to ensure they have a complete picture of potential carers. These can include:

Family references - This usually includes one family member and could be a parent, sibling, aunt or uncle but not your own children.

Non-family references - Usually two references from people who have known you for at least five years. These could be friends, work colleagues or neighbours.

Employment & voluntary references - References are gained from your current employer and any others you’ve had over the past 5 years. If you volunteer in any capacity, references will likely be gained from this organisation as well.

Home Safety Checks

Foster agencies will need to send an assessor to your home to judge whether it is safe and suitable for a foster child. They will look at things like fire hazards, security measures, and general maintenance. The agency may then offer recommendations or advice on what can be improved.

Pet Assessment

If you have any pets in the household, the foster agency will need to assess whether they are safe and suitable to be around foster children. This usually involves a questionnaire as well and will probably be discussed with you during the Home Safety Checks.

Financial Checks

Foster agencies need to be sure that you are in a position to support any foster children you care for. This may involve carrying out financial checks to make sure you can financially support fostering children.

Background checks are just one part of the process of becoming a foster parent. If you’re interested in taking the leap into foster care, you can find out more on the .gov website here.

What checks should I expect as a foster carer in the UK?