There are several stages:

• Contact  us - by e mail or telephone- we will find out some initial information about you and send you an information pack about fostering for Brighton & Hove
  
• Information session –w e will give you more information about fostering and you will have the opportunity to talk to some Brighton and Hove foster carers
  
• Home visit – we visit you to find out more about you and your family and why you want to foster
  
• Preparation groups - This is a 4 day course run by the fostering team and a foster carer covering all the aspects of fostering
  
• Fostering assessment – you are assessed by fostering worker to see if you have the skills and abilities to become a foster carer This involves talking to you and your family , doing a number of checks and visiting referees who can comment on your qualities as a prospective foster carer. The assessment period also gives you time to reflect on whether fostering is right for you and your family
  
• Fostering report – At the end of the assessment your worker completes a report outlining why they feel you should be approved as a foster carer, with a recommendation regarding which age range of foster children would be best for you and your family, including the number of children
  
• Fostering Panel - Your report is considered by the Fostering Panel, which meets monthly. Panel consists of a number of people involved in fostering i.e. foster carers, professionals and decides whether to recommend that you are approved as a foster carer. You attend Panel with your assessing worker
  
• Agency decision maker - This is a senior manager in Children’s Service who, within 5 days of Fostering Panel, confirms the recommendation of the Panel to approve you as a foster carer
  
• Timescales - We aim to complete your assessment as a foster carer from initial enquiry to Fostering Panel in 6 months