lol.. get used to it!! The wheels of SS move very slowly at times... in fact, I'm convinced they do it on purpose just to 'test you out' and see how you cope with it.. lol...
You need to do the Skills to Foster Course - as not everyone 'passes' this before they can do any more with you... also, some people opt to drop out during or following the course... its intensive and brings home the responsibility and realities of fostering and not everyone can cope with that...
Following 'passing' the course, you'll be assigned a Supervising Social Worker (or Assessing Social Worker) who will come out roughly (very roughly) once a week - see you together, seperate and talk to any age appropriate children and take you through your life history... I think we covered this in about 3 months... if at any stage they see/hear something that is a problem, you'll be told about it... otherwise, they will write up a report for panel with a recommendation to be approved - how many LO's and an age range..
You may be asked to do various things like an eco map - a map of your support network and a portfolio about your family - these get submitted to panel too...
They should go and visit at least 2 of your referees... not just rely on the written references and if any of you work with children, they may come and observe you...
A health and safety check will need to be done on your home and any recommendations put in place...
I know how frustrating it is... they are so overworked and presumably their recruitment drives only makes this worse...
All I can say is push to get on the next course... and use the time wisely to prepare yourselves - the course is mentally draining, read up on attachments particularly...
Wishing you the best of luck... it is worth it once you get there... but enjoy the journey in the meantime... 
x