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Tel: 01522-552222 | Contact the County Council

Welcome to Fostering for Lincolnshire County Council

Today's Child; Tomorrow's Future!

Thank you for taking the time to visit our website and for finding out more about fostering. At any one time there are about 450 children in foster care within the County. We always need more carers so that we are able to maintain as many children as possible close to their families, communities and schools.

Fostering is substitute family care for children and young people who for a variety of reasons are unable to live with their own families. If you have commitment to working with children, are healthy, have room to spare and a lifestyle that has room for a child, then you may well be able to help. The pages on this site will give you more information and answer some of your key questions. We hope that it will provide you with enough information to take the next step for you and your family. If it does, please complete the online application, under the Do It online section, or register your interest and a Fostering worker will make contact with you as soon as possible.

Present Situation

Following a successful 2009 with 37 new carers approved last year, for 2010 we want people to continue to come forward for older children, permanence, children with additional needs and also recruit a number of carers across the county for younger children. We particularly need people from the south of the county, namely Stamford, Bourne & Grantham and surrounding areas, but still need carers in all areas.

For an information pack call us now on 0800 093 3099!

"We aim to provide high quality and safe care within a family setting for children and young people who are unable to live within their own families, by providing a range of Foster Carers to meet the emotional, physical, cultural, religious and ethnicity needs of children in care."

Fostering Statement of Purpose

Even if you decide that fostering is not for you, there are ways in which you can help. Please bring the site to the attention of your friends and family and make people aware that there are children in the county who need foster carers.

Who can become a foster carer?

There are no rules about who can become a foster carer. There is no age limit and each application is considered on an individual basis. Single people, both male and females, can become foster carers as well as same sex couples, married couples, non married couples and people with a disability.

Carers come from all walks of life, just like the children who need to be looked after. We are particularly interested in hearing from people of ethnic minority and dual heritage backgrounds across Lincolnshire as we have a number of children that need to be placed with carers who can reflect or promote their ethnic backgrounds and culture.

Accomodation

You can be a council or private tenant, or a home owner. However a spare bedroom is a requirement.

Will I be paid?

Yes, an allowance is paid to cover the cost of caring for the child/ren. The basic allowance will not affect any benefits you may be receiving.

How long will the process take?

As a rough guide an assessment should be completed within five months. However, there are many things which can lead to delays. Clearly from our point of view the process will be as quick as we can make it.

What do I do now?

Fill out our Initial Enquiry Form and one of our team will contact you. Alternatively you can telephone us on 0800 093 3099 or email your contact details and questions to fosteringandadoptionenquiries@lincolnshire.gov.uk

What will happen?

The fostering process is currently taking between four and six months to complete.

• Request an information pack and/or fill out an initial enquiry form

You find out more about fostering and register your details on our system.

• Initial visit

A member of the fostering team will visit you at home to discuss your individual circumstances. You can think carefully about fostering and the ages of children you might consider as well as the type of fostering you may be interested in.

You complete your application form & CRB application.

You give us permission to carry out police and probation checks.

• The Preparation training course (four days)

Gives you information to help you decide if fostering is right for you and your family, and provides skills to help you look after foster children who have suffered trauma.

• Home Study Process

We visit you in your home and meet with others in your household and support network.  If you're a couple we see you together and separately.  If you have children we speak to them as well to make sure they're happy about a new child coming into their home.  We visit at least two people who know you well who you choose to be your referees.  You will also need a medical, carried out by your own doctor.

• Fostering Panel

You and your social worker attend a fostering panel to discuss your assessment.

The Panel makes a recommendation about your suitability to foster and then the Fostering Service will make a decision as soon as possible based on the recommendation. 

• After approval as a foster carer

You receive your foster care handbook with information to help you look after foster children.

• Placement

The child's social worker makes the necessary arrangements for the child(ren) to come and stay with you.

• Continued Support

All our foster carers are valuable to us, you will receive ongoing training and realistic allowances. You will also have a supervising social worker to support you through your journey as a foster parent for Lincolnshire.

 

Members Access

Approved foster carers and adopters have their own secure area on our website. If you are an adoptive or foster parent resident in Lincolnshire and do not receive the Newsletter bulletins or have a password for the website pages for members than you can request one by sending an email to lucym.smith@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

Last Updated: 2 August 2010