Starting My Fostering Journey
Starting My Fostering Journey
Becoming a foster carer with Homefinding & Fostering begins with a conversation. There’s no obligation — just an opportunity to find out what’s involved and ask any questions you have.
Becoming a foster carer with Homefinding & Fostering begins with a conversation. There’s no obligation — just an opportunity to find out what’s involved and ask any questions you have.
Step 1
Step 1
Get in Touch
Get in Touch
Get in Touch
The first step is simply to contact us by phone, email or using our contact form. We’ll chat about your interest in fostering, answer your questions, and explain the next steps. We’ll ask a few basics — for example, whether you have a spare bedroom and are able to care for children — and tailor the conversation to your situation. Contact us to start your fostering journey.
The first step is simply to contact us by phone, email or using our contact form. We’ll chat about your interest in fostering, answer your questions, and explain the next steps. We’ll ask a few basics — for example, whether you have a spare bedroom and are able to care for children — and tailor the conversation to your situation. Contact us to start your fostering journey.
Step 2
Step 2
Initial Home Visit
Initial Home Visit
Initial Home Visit
Once you’ve made contact and want to move forward, we’ll arrange a friendly home visit with one of our social workers. This visit is a chance to get to know each other, see your home and spare room, and talk in more detail about fostering. It’s relaxed and supportive — we’re here to help, not judge.
Once you’ve made contact and want to move forward, we’ll arrange a friendly home visit with one of our social workers. This visit is a chance to get to know each other, see your home and spare room, and talk in more detail about fostering. It’s relaxed and supportive — we’re here to help, not judge.
Fostering Assessment
Fostering Assessment
Step 3
Step 3
If you choose to proceed, you’ll be allocated an assessing social worker who will support you through the formal assessment (called a Form F assessment). This involves a series of meetings, some checks and references, and conversations about your life, motivations and support network. It’s thorough because we prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the children placed with our carers. We’ll also complete essential checks, including: • Enhanced DBS (police) check • Health check with your GP • Personal references • Other regulatory checks
If you choose to proceed, you’ll be allocated an assessing social worker who will support you through the formal assessment (called a Form F assessment). This involves a series of meetings, some checks and references, and conversations about your life, motivations and support network. It’s thorough because we prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the children placed with our carers. We’ll also complete essential checks, including: • Enhanced DBS (police) check • Health check with your GP • Personal references • Other regulatory checks
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Supported extensively
We have had a year full of fun, turbulence, laughter, sadness and have been supported extensively with each stage
Foster carer
Gillingham, 2025
Really appreciated.
Fostering isnt easy, and being surrounded by people who care and understand foster carers is very important. Their help and positive contributions are really appreciated.
Foster carer
London 2025
Always there to support me
Whether I am having a tough day or celebrating a success, she ( foster carer) is always there to support me
Foster Child
Maidstone, 2025
Step 4
Step 4
Training
Training
As part of the assessment, you’ll take part in a three-day Skills to Foster training course. This course gives you valuable insight into fostering — why children come into care, how early experiences affect young people, communication, safer caring and more — and helps you feel confident and prepared.
As part of the assessment, you’ll take part in a three-day Skills to Foster training course. This course gives you valuable insight into fostering — why children come into care, how early experiences affect young people, communication, safer caring and more — and helps you feel confident and prepared.
Step 5
Step 5
Fostering Panel & Approval
Fostering Panel & Approval
Once your assessment and training are complete, you’ll attend fostering panel — a standard step in the process where a group of independent professionals review your assessment and make a recommendation. If approved, you’ll be welcomed to our fostering community and introduced to your supervising social worker, who’ll support you going forward. **Ready to learn more?** Fostering in Kent can be one of the most meaningful decisions you ever make — for you, your family, and a child who needs a safe, stable home. We’re here to support you every step of the way. Get in touch and begin your fostering journey today.
Once your assessment and training are complete, you’ll attend fostering panel — a standard step in the process where a group of independent professionals review your assessment and make a recommendation. If approved, you’ll be welcomed to our fostering community and introduced to your supervising social worker, who’ll support you going forward. **Ready to learn more?** Fostering in Kent can be one of the most meaningful decisions you ever make — for you, your family, and a child who needs a safe, stable home. We’re here to support you every step of the way. Get in touch and begin your fostering journey today.
Partners & Accreditation
Get stories, fostering advice, and news straight to your inbox
Sign up to hear from us once a month. No spam, just real support.
By signing up you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy
Fostering
Support
Our Address
The Homefinding & Fostering Agency
Vinters Park
Maidstone
ME14 5NZ
© 2026 Homefinding & Fostering Agency.
Get stories, fostering advice, and news straight to your inbox
Sign up to hear from us once a month. No spam, just real support.
By signing up you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy
Fostering
Support
Our Address
The Homefinding & Fostering Agency
Vinters Park
Maidstone
ME14 5NZ
© 2026 Homefinding & Fostering Agency.