Our assessment process

You'll need to:

  • be 21 and over by the end of the assessment process. There is no upper age limit to foster
  • have a spare bedroom
  • have the time and availability to meet the needs of our children.

Learn more about fostering on our can I foster? page.

It usually takes between four and six months to become a foster carer.

You will learn more about fostering with Lancashire and we'll get to know you to make sure you are fully prepared and suitable to care for someone else’s child.

Start your fostering journey today and contact us via our enquiry form or call us on 0300 019 0200.

Your fostering journey

Hear from Melissa talk you through the fostering journey and what to expect when you join our fostering community.

Initial enquiry

Initial enquiryA chat with our team the next working day of your enquiry.

Initial visit

Initial visitA home visit from one of the team in the following week.

Application form

Application formA support worker will help you fill in our application form within 2 weeks.

Proceed to assessment

Proceed to assessmentA social worker will guide you through every step of your 4–6-month journey.

Checks we complete

Checks we completeThese include medical, DBS, employment, ex-partner and personal references, all of which we pay for.

Preparing you to foster

Preparing you to fosterYou will attend our 3-day Skills to Foster at County Hall in Preston and complete online training.

Assessments we complete

Assessments we completeThese include an assessment of your home, any pets, and your finances.

Meetings we complete

Meetings we completeThis will include at least 6 visits both virtually and at your home before your assessment is completed.

Panel

PanelAlong with your social worker, you will attend panel and they will make a recommendation on you becoming a foster carer.

Post approval support

Post approval supportYou will be allocated a social worker and a mentor.

Approval

ApprovalOur Agency Decision Maker (ADM) makes a final decision within 2 weeks of panel.

You are ready to Foster

You are ready to FosterNow it’s time to make every memory count. Our Family Finding Team will match you when your home is the right home for our children.

If you are already fostering with another agency and looking to transfer then get in touch so that you can make the right decision for you and your fostering family. If you choose to transfer, as many carers are, we'll make the transfer as smooth as possible. Find out more about transferring agencies.

Get in touch

Fill in our online form or give us a call on 0300 019 0200 when you're ready.