REFERRALS AND MATCHING
GETTING TO KNOW OUR FOSTER FAMILIES
Having a successful match in foster care relies on a thorough comprehension of our foster families, encompassing their family dynamics, skills, experiences, and preferences. It involves fostering open and honest conversations about the referrals we receive. We initiate the establishment of these robust relationships from the moment you’re approved with Organic fostering and sustain them throughout your fostering journey.
As part of your integration process, you’ll engage in an introductory meeting with our referrals team, your supervising social worker, and your fostering advisor. This session will center on discussing the potential types of children you could provide care for, including their backgrounds, behaviors, and specialized needs. We’ll also note any specific preferences you may have, such as age or gender, and inquire about your willingness to be contacted for emergency foster care placements outside regular hours.
By maintaining regular communication and gaining a comprehensive understanding of the kind of child that would be a good fit for you and your family, we can promptly identify potential matches. Subsequently, we collaborate efficiently with you, your social worker, and the local authority to facilitate the necessary arrangements.
YOUR PROFILE
Following approval, we will establish a profile for you, encompassing vital details about you and your family. This includes your skills, experiences, training, and other pertinent information, all curated to highlight your strengths and attributes in the most favourable manner.
This digital profile serves as a crucial tool in aiding local authorities to comprehend your capabilities and expertise. It enables us to effectively advocate for you when presenting you as a potential caregiver for a child in need.
PUTTING A FAMILY TOWARD A LOCAL AUTHORITY
We offer a variety of additional training courses designed to further enrich your knowledge and skills, including:
Upon identifying you as a potential match for a referral, we will contact you to discuss the details further. Additionally, we will send the relevant information via email for your review, allowing you the opportunity to ask questions and take some time to deliberate.
If both you and your supervising social worker agree that it seems like a suitable match, we will proceed to recommend you to the local authority. It’s worth noting that several foster carers from various independent fostering agencies may also be considered for the child’s care. Ultimately, the decision rests with the local authority to determine who they believe can provide the best support for the child.
PLACING A CHILD WITH A FAMILY
If the local authority expresses interest in considering you as a potential match, we will provide them with various documentation, including your Form Foster assessment, for their review. If they determine that you are indeed a suitable match, the child’s social worker will be connected with your supervising social worker. They will then commence discussions regarding the proposed placement plan, which includes details such as the start date of the placement and any other pertinent considerations.
Throughout this process, your supervising social worker will keep you updated on any developments and assist you with any necessary preparations for the child’s arrival.
YOUR FAMILY BOOK
Prior to welcoming a child into your home, we’ll assist you in creating a family book to be shared with the child before their arrival. This book should feature plenty of inviting and comforting photos of you, your family, your home especially their bedroom and any pets you may have. Additionally, it should include basic information such as your hobbies and interests.
Family books play a crucial role in this process by helping to alleviate the distress, anxiety, and fear often experienced by children entering foster care.