Foster carer checks- Personal reference form North West

Your name has been given by someone who is applying to become a foster carer.

They have stated you are a person who knows them well and can give a reference as to their suitability.

Children placed with foster carers are usually in some distress at being separated from their family. They may also have experienced abuse and neglect. They are always vulnerable and can be challenging in their behaviour. Foster carers play an invaluable role in making them welcome, providing them with a safe home and helping them cope with family separation. Foster carers have to be able to ensure the safety of any child in their care and also protect their own children (if they have them) and recognise their own limits. It is a difficult but rewarding task.

Personal referees who have known the applicants over a period of several years are very valuable in helping us assess their suitability overall and to recognise the types of situations which could over-stretch them and could lead to children being at risk.

Below is a form in which we ask your opinion about the applicants’ ability and experience with regard to working with, or caring for children and young people. Please complete as much of the form as you can. Your responses are confidential and will not be seen by the applicant unless you give your consent.

Once you have returned the form, one of our staff will contact you to interview you about the applicants’ suitability to be foster carers. This may be in person or can be, in some circumstances, by telephone. In the meantime, if you require any help in completing this form, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you very much for your help.

Your first name (required)

Your surname (required)

Your email (required)

Contact number (required)

Address line 1 (required)

City / Town (required)

Post code (required)

Applicants' Name (required)

How long have you known the applicant/s and in what capacity?

How frequently do you have contact with them now, and did you in the past?

What understanding or experience do you have in relation to fostering and/or adoption?

Please describe the personal qualities that you feel the applicant/s has that are relevant to fostering or adoption.

If applicable, please comment on the quality and stability of the adult relationships within the applicant/s household.

If the applicant/s has children living at home, how would you describe them and how do think they might respond to living with a fostered or adopted child?

What have you observed of the applicant/s relationships with their own children if they have them, and/or with other children?

Some fostered and adopted children will exhibit challenging behaviour. How well do you think the applicant/s would manage this?

What can you say about the ability of the applicant/s to manage stress?

Do you know anything that makes you think the applicant/s might not be suitable to foster or adopt?

Would you have any concerns about the safety or well-being of a child placed in their care?

Have you ever been aware that the applicant/s has used smacking, physical chastisement, or any inappropriate discipline to manage children’s behaviour?

Please comment on the applicant/s ability to work effectively with others as part of a team.

Please comment on the applicant/s honesty, trustworthiness and ability to keep sensitive information confidential.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge for the applicant/s in fostering or adopting a child? Are there any areas where you think the applicant/s might need support?

Please provide any other information that you think is relevant.

Please indicate your consent to sharing the information you have provided by selecting one of the following options:
This reference:
I am happy for my reference to be shared with the applicant/s.I wish for my reference to be held in confidence. However, I am aware that the applicant/s may request access to this reference under the Data Protection Act 2018.There are parts of my reference that I want to remain confidential and would like to discuss this with you. However, I am aware that the applicant/s may request access to this reference under the Data Protection Act 2018.

Foster carer checks- Personal reference form North West

Your name has been given by someone who is applying to become a foster carer.

They have stated you are a person who knows them well and can give a reference as to their suitability.

Thank you very much for your help.

Thinking About Fostering

Thinking About Fostering