We receive lots of referrals every month from local authorities looking for suitable foster homes for vulnerable children across the country. There are a number of things we look for when matching children and young people with foster families. We start by checking the Foster Parent has availability and has been approved for the placement type and age of the child. Next, we look at the family’s matching preferences, such as gender, age and interests as well as the needs of the child and the type of care they require.

Once the initial checks are completed, we begin to look at other pieces of information on the referral, such as the child’s known history, the behaviour they’re exhibiting and any specialist care that the child may need. We carefully consider whether the young person will fit in with the family dynamic – especially with other children in the home – and your skills, training and past experiences with other young people with similar needs to understand whether you may be suitable.