Fostering Services

ISWA has recruited associates who have specialised skills in this field. They have worked in effective partnership with a number of Local Authorities and Independent Fostering Agencies and are familiar with the full range of assessment formats. 

ISWA associates use, as a starting point, the National Minimum Standards in Foster Care (2011) which are issued by the Secretary of State under sections 23 and 49 of the CSA. They are ‘minimum’ standards, rather than ‘best possible’ practice and our associates’ skills far exceed such requirements.

These assessments are set in the same context as the standards required of mainstream foster carers but recognise the particular issues for related carers; the quality of existing relationships and the importance of this for the child, and the critical and fundamental assessment of risk.

ISWA has an established partnership with OSP www.ospstaffline.co.uk , a specialist marketing and recruitment company, in the provision of this service. The combination of  the well proven high level media and recruitment skills of OSP in the recruitment of foster carers, together  with the expertise of ISWA in training and assessing potential foster carers, provides a unique partnership to deliver excellent outcomes. No other service provider offers such a partnership and importantly there is no conflict of interest – all we are interested in is delivering good foster carers to a local authority’s service.

Our service follows best practice guidelines detailed by The Fostering Network – [Ref: Recruiting the foster care workforce of the future: a guide for fostering services 2010], acknowledging the crucial elements of an efficient response, good quality information, identifying less suitable applicants at an early stage and ensuring that for those applicants that proceed, their motivation is maintained by good quality training and a timely and efficient assessment.