Maharashtra District Child Protection Unit
1. DCPU invites application from potential foster carers (PFCs) and provides Application form on request.
2. PFC completes Application form and returns to DCPU
3. DCPU acknowledges receipt and calls the PFC to give information about fostering and take some basic information – Complete Initial Enquiry Form (Annexure UGFC 1)
4. DCPU in consultation with PFC, and managers if appropriate, decides whether to proceed to next step – Initial Home Visit.
5. DCPU visits family, meets both PFCs and gathers information on Home visit Form (Annexure UGFC 2).
6. DCPU in consultation with family and managers if appropriate makes decision whether to end process or continue to next stage- Home Study (Form 30) and Psychosocial Assessment.
7. PFCs are given Self Assessment(Part 1 of Home Study) to complete and asked to sign Consent to checks and references (Annexure UGFC 3) (giving consent for police records checks and references) and to undertake a medical examination for themselves and all children of the family.
8. Other adult family members also sign Consent to Checks and References (Annexure UGFC 4) giving consent to Police record checks, and agreement to undertake a medical examination.
9. Case allocated to social worker to assess the family.
10. DCPU undertakes references and refers to CWC to order Police Records Checks and medical examinations.
11. PFC returns Self Assessment (Part 1 of Home Study) to DCPU.
12. Social worker arranges visits to family to complete Part 2 of Home Study (Form 30) and Psychosocial Assessment (Annexure UGFC 5) Also Health and Safety Assessment of the home (Annexure UGFC 6).
13. When completed and all police checks, medicals and references returned, DCPU make a decision to recommend family for approval (or not)
14. Home study, parts 1 and 2 and Psychosocial assessment (Annexure UGFC 5) sent to CWC to consider.
15. CWC after reading reports, meets with PFC and recommends approval (or not).
16. If approved, DCPU lists as family available for placement and children will be considered.