Community short breaks

Community Short Breaks carers undergo the same assessment and training process as foster carers and are registered under the same regulations.

If you decide you want to be assessed as Community Short Breaks carer, a social worker from Family Connections will visit you and your family home to assess both you and your family's suitability to foster.

You will then be asked to attend a fostering preparation group, which will take place over a couple of days or a series of evening sessions. Once you have completed this, your main assessment will begin.

 The assessment will be undertaken by a social worker who will undertake a series of planned visits to your home. The assessment will include looking at the skills and experience you already have as well as areas that may need further development and support.

A series of checks including health, social work and criminal records will be undertaken on you and the adults aged 16 and over in your home. You will also have to provide references from people who know you well.

We aim to complete the assessment within six months. The assessment involves writing a report about you (called a Form F) which you will have the opportunity to read, and to contribute to, before your application is presented at the Fostering Panel.