Application and Assessment

Its very simple to apply to be a foster carer, you can either call our Fostering Information freephone on 0800 6521256 or for a friendly informal chat call our office on 01375 652913, or apply by e-mail to fostering.adoption@thurrock.gov.uk to request an application pack.

Once you have read through the application pack, call us and we'll arrange to visit you in your own home. The home visit is an opportunity for you to learn more about fostering and for us to learn more about you, your circumstances and what you have to offer.

After the home visit the next stage is assessment and training. The assessment process is quite involved and takes an average of 6 months to complete. You will be assessed by your assigned social worker, who will need to visit you and other members of your family several times and will also conduct police, Criminal Records Bureau and medical checks. We hope that the whole process can be completed within 6 months.