How long did it take you to be approved as a foster carer?

[Twopots]

Just wondered how long it took people to be approved as a foster carer? We started the process 2 years ago this march with LA and still not approved! The problems we have had is lack of social workers to access us and now we have been though panel (2 months ago) but as the minutes of the meeting have not been written up the final decision cannot be made. The panel recommended that we be approved so I know we are probably going to be accepted but the waiting is so frustrating! Anyone else had the same waits?

Sorry to hear you have waited so long, you must be feeling really disheartened. Hopefully you will sorted out soon, I would keep pestering your SW.
It only took us 5 months from first contact. Our first little one came about 3 weeks later.

We don't have a social worker, they used an agency to access us as they didnt have enough social workers to do it, I have called SS repeatedly but just told they can't do anything till minutes of the panel are written up!

Terrible. This is the reason I went with a IFA . Imagine trying to get support if you were having problems with a placement.
Unfortunately SS are having great problems due to lack of funds.

That sounds really rubbish!

For me and my husband it took 11 months from us starting the process to us being approved and having children placed with us, and I thought that was a long time!

When we went to panel we were told that we had been approved but it had to be endorsed etc and that wouldn't happen for 7 days. However, 2 days after the panel I got a phone call from my fostering officer and we had children placed with us that day. When I queried that due to us not being 'officially' approved I was told they could just rush it through.

Who are you with kits? (LA or IFA) I was expecting it to be 6-12 months but it is nearly double that. The problem is we are having babies/pre school children and I don't think there is currently a huge demand for them in this area and so they are not bothered with pushing us through, I have no doubt that if we where taking teenagers we would of been accepted months ago!

I know cassimin that we prob wont get much SS support but i live opposite the health visitor and if need be I am happy to demand any support a child may need and as its only young children we will be having I'm not too concerned about that at present - to be honest I can even see us having a child stay in our home for a long time at this rate!

It took 14 months for us to be approved and it was a nightmare. I can't imagine waiting even longer. We too are with a LA but assessed by an external agency and the communication was terrible between agency and LA, we too wanted to care for under 5s. After being approved we are still having problems :( You can message me privately if you want to talk about it.

We're with an LA.

This is shocking. I have been on this forum a few months now and am shocked by the duty of care some LA's show their carers. This is why I would advocate going to a IFA. We approve in 4 - 6 months unless there are specific reasons for the delay.

There are some very specific breaches of the NMS 2011:

14.4)
The fostering panel makes its recommendation on the suitability of a prospective foster carer within eight months of receipt of the prospective foster carer’s application to be assessed

14.9)
The fostering service provider’s decision-maker makes a considered decision that takes account of all the information available to them, including the recommendation of the fostering panel and, where applicable, the independent review panel, within seven working days of receipt of the recommendation and final set of panel minutes.

I would go back to the LA and state how unhappy you are. Let them know of the breaches and get things moving. You have to be proactive. I cannot understand at a time of so few foster carers nationally, this is allowed to go.

All carers have the right to change agency. by the sounds of it, technically you are not approved, so if you do not get an answer, I would advise looking else where!

Thanks Jacob but I want to stay with my LA and believe we will get there eventually, the only reason I am not complaining to the LA is because it's gone on so long a bit longer makes no difference, although I have called ss twice since panel asking if anything had been decided and I am noting all the delays/issues we have and I will be bringing them up at the 12 month panel review and asking for them to make changes! The reason I started this thread was to see if this kind of wait was the norm esp with LA carers.

No Problem. Good luck with fostering and best wishes.

Thank you ??

It took us 5 months from initial phone call to approval, we are LA.
8 weeks till our first placement arrived.
Hang on in there, this journey to fostering will stand you in good stead once you have a child in place.
Good luck

Thanks, I'm working on my patience levels! Going to give them another call today!

Took me and the wife two years to get approval by LA, hard to believe there is such a shortage.