How long does it take for a child to be placed with me?

To ensure the right people become foster carers, there are probity checks along with a comprehensive assessment process that needs to be completed. This not only guarantees applicants can make an informed decision about being a carer, it also ensures only suitable applicants become authorised carers. This process generally takes around 3 months to complete. Once a carer is authorised, a child could be placed with them the following day, or it could take months. The ‘matching process’ considers many factors, including the needs of the child and the capacity of the foster family. This is a joint decision (between the agency and the carer) to ensure everyone is comfortable with the placement going ahead.