Our assessment process
You'll need to:
- be 21 and over by the end of the assessment process. There is no upper age limit to foster
- have a spare bedroom
- have the time and availability to meet the needs of our children.
Learn more about fostering on our can I foster? page.
It usually takes between four and six months to become a foster carer.
You will learn more about fostering with Lancashire and we'll get to know you to make sure you are fully prepared and suitable to care for someone else’s child.
Start your fostering journey today and contact us via our enquiry form or call us on 0300 123 6723.
Your fostering journey
Hear from Melissa talk you through the fostering journey and what to expect when you join our fostering community.
Initial enquiry
A chat with our team the next working day of your enquiry.
Initial visit
A home visit from one of the team in the following week.
Application form
A support worker will help you fill in our application form within 2 weeks.
Proceed to assessment
A social worker will guide you through every step of your 4–6-month journey.
Checks we complete
These include medical, DBS, employment, ex-partner and personal references, all of which we pay for.
Preparing you to foster
You will attend our 3-day Skills to Foster at County Hall in Preston and complete online training.
Assessments we complete
These include an assessment of your home, any pets, and your finances.
Meetings we complete
This will include at least 6 visits both virtually and at your home before your assessment is completed.
Panel
Along with your social worker, you will attend panel and they will make a recommendation on you becoming a foster carer.
Post approval support
You will be allocated a social worker and a mentor.
Approval
Our Agency Decision Maker (ADM) makes a final decision within 2 weeks of panel.
You are ready to Foster
Now it’s time to make every memory count. Our Family Finding Team will match you when your home is the right home for our children.
If you are already fostering with another agency and looking to transfer then get in touch so that you can make the right decision for you and your fostering family. If you choose to transfer, as many carers are, we'll make the transfer as smooth as possible. Find out more about transferring agencies.
Get in touch
Fill in our online form or give us a call on 0300 123 6723 when you're ready.