It’s a match…

Ever wondered about how we match Foster Carers and the children they look after? Providing a safe, stable and loving home for a child who cannot live with their birth family is a valuable and rewarding experience. Foster Carers play a critical role in a child’s life, providing nurturing care and support during their transitional period away from their family. Placement procedures are carefully considered in order to ensure it’s the best possible match for the child and Foster Carer.

Matching is the process of identifying the most appropriate home for a child based on their individual needs and circumstances. It is also the process of facilitating the child’s placement with the foster carer who best fits their requirements. Good matching, along with the full exchange of information before placement, promotes stability for the child.

Identifying a potential foster placement falls under the social worker from the fostering team. The social worker works to match the child’s needs and take into account the strengths and vulnerabilities of the proposed placement. The child’s social worker has the final say in the suitability of the placement offered. This person knows the child and their needs and will consider the advice of the social worker from the Fostering Team.

Here’s an example of the qualities that should be considered when deciding on a suitable placement:

• Sibling group needs
• Age
• School
• Relationship with birth family
• Behavioural needs
• Culture
• Language
• Identity
• Religion
• Health or medical factors
• Risk assessment
• Attachment needs/ patterns
• Leisure activities

Here are some examples of Foster Carer qualities and characteristics that are considered when deciding whether they are suitable for the child:

• Size and composition of the family
• Support network
• Geography of the home in relation to the child’s home
• Culture
• Language
• Religion
• Skills and experience
• Child care requirements
• Accommodation
• Vulnerabilities

The options for a child will be recommended to the child’s social worker, who will select the most appropriate home for them. After an indication of the preferred foster family the social worker from the Fostering Team contacts the Foster Carer to ensure they feel the match of the child is appropriate for them and their family.

Matching a child to a foster family is an essential part of the process of providing a child with a safe, stable and loving home. By considering the individual child’s needs and Foster Carer’s strengths and vulnerabilities, we can ensure a successful match. At all times, it is essential to prioritise the child’s best interests.

Feeling inspired? Enquire today. We’d love to hear from you.