How long??

[Flojo1979]

Just making initial enquires and I'm wondering when best time to start training etc to fit in with my own life.
How long does it take to be approved, from initial enquiry to being approved?
And how does it take from being approved to 'getting the call'??
I know every LA is probably different but some websites say 4-6 months to be approved and others say 12-18 months.
What were your experiences?
Thanx!

[marybobbins]

Hi!

We made our initial enquiry just over a year ago and we are going to panel (fingers crossed) next week. We have gone with our LA and they told us 6months but we haven't met anyone yet who has gone through that quick.

[fostermumtomany]

ors took three years start to finish.

it was then 2 weeks after approval to getting our first placement.

another carer i know took 19 months start to finish and waited 6 months for a placement.

it all depends on what sort of fostering you wish to do and whether there is suitable placement for you.

i do not know anyone who has been approved in 6 months.
although my LA had a rollicking recently by the inspectors for the time they taking to do the assessments.

also they are currently undergoing a shake up and have been told by the powers that be that they want all form f's completed in 12 weeks hahahaha never going to happen is it.

[EarthMotherImNot]

We made our initial enquiry one January and were approved that same year in the July, we had our first placement the day after we were approved.

In saying this it was over 20 years ago so the time involved may well be longer.

[SimplyTes]

Hello

Started last Feb all completed by October.

Good luck

[Machakos]

We made our initial enquiry in November, did the "Skills to Foster' course early in the new year and went to panel in early August, first placement end of August. This was 5 1/2 years ago.

[p99gmb]

We made the call in November, skills to foster course Feb, approved in August - placement 9 days later (my birthday).

Go for it - be honest, no rush & think things through carefully - it really is a life changing move x x

[ditzymare]

Our assessment took 18 months but we took a 5 month break in the middle to deal with a family issue.
We had met our first placement before panel and he moved in the day after we were approved.

[Flojo1979]

Thanks guys, everyone is slightly different, but generally it take about a year so i should probably start making some headway now and can always slow things down later down line if not quite ready.