Safer Recruitment for Foster Carers: DBS, References and Renewals

Becoming (and remaining) a foster carer in the UK means meeting rigorous safer recruitment standards designed to protect children and support you to care confidently. This guide explains the checks you can expect—DBS disclosures, references, medicals and home/household vetting—how renewals work after you’re approved, and practical ways to get through the process smoothly.

What “safer recruitment” means in fostering

Why the bar is high

Fostering agencies (local authority services and IFAs) must evidence that every carer—and every adult living in the home—has been thoroughly assessed for suitability. The checks aren’t there to catch you out; they’re there to minimise risk, help build a clear picture of your support network, and ensure the agency can place the right child with you safely.

Who is checked

You (and your partner, if applicable), all household members aged 18+, regular babysitters, and sometimes frequent adult visitors will be considered in the risk picture. Teenagers in the home aren’t DBS-checked, but their needs, routines and boundaries are part of the assessment conversation.

DBS checks: levels, timing and the Update Service

Which DBS level do foster carers need?

Foster carers require an Enhanced DBS disclosure, usually with a check of the barred lists given the regulated nature of the role. The agency applies for this with your consent, verifies ID, and pays the fee (most do). Expect the same for each adult in your household aged 18 and over.

What the DBS looks for—and what it doesn’t

A DBS certificate lists relevant convictions and police information. It doesn’t decide suitability by itself; it’s one piece of the wider assessment. A past issue doesn’t automatically rule you out—agencies consider context, time passed, rehabilitation and whether the information is relevant to caring for children. The key is full disclosure from the outset.

Using the DBS Update Service

If you subscribe to the DBS Update Service (strongly recommended), your Enhanced certificate can be checked online for changes, saving you repeated applications and speeding up annual or tri-annual re-checks. You must subscribe within 30 days of your certificate issue date; the small yearly fee is worth the convenience.

Common timing questions

• When is DBS taken? Early in Form F so delays don’t stall panel.
• How long does it take? It varies; anything from a week to several weeks depending on local police force timescales.
• What if there are delays? Your assessing social worker will keep you informed and may progress other elements (training, references, home study) in parallel.

References: personal, employment and character

How many and who to choose

Most agencies ask for at least three referees including:

• One long-standing personal reference (knows you 5+ years).
• An employment (or recent manager/volunteer supervisor) reference.
• A family or community reference, where appropriate.

If you’ve worked with children or vulnerable adults, expect the agency to ask those employers about safeguarding conduct and attendance. If you’ve parented before, they may ask an adult child or ex-partner (sensitively) to provide perspective on family dynamics.

What referees are asked

Referees complete a written questionnaire and are often contacted by phone or visited. They’ll be asked about your reliability, resilience, boundaries, ability to manage stress, and how you handle conflict or difficult behaviour. Tell your referees in advance, share the realistic demands of fostering, and encourage honest, specific examples.

Gaps in employment and self-employment

If you’ve had periods out of work, caring responsibilities, or self-employment, the assessor will still seek verification (e.g., accountant letters, client references). Transparency here avoids late-stage queries.

Medicals, home safety and household checks

Medical assessment

Your GP completes a fostering medical using a standard form. It covers physical/mental health, current medication and any conditions relevant to the caring task. The question isn’t “perfect health?”—it’s whether you can safely meet a child’s needs and what reasonable adjustments might help you do so.

Home and environment

You’ll have health and safety walk-throughs: smoke alarms, exits, stair gates (if relevant), pets and ponds, tool storage, medication lockable storage, vehicle safety, and whether a spare bedroom is available. The aim is a safe, ordinary family home, not a show home.

Pets and risk assessments

Pets are welcomed in many fostering households, but agencies will risk-assess temperament, breed, vaccination status and hygiene. You may be asked for your vet’s note or to follow specific supervision rules around feeding and sleep areas.

Social media, digital safety and financial checks

Online presence

Agencies increasingly discuss privacy settings, friend requests from birth family, and how you’ll model safe online behaviour for a child. You won’t be asked to delete your life; you’ll be supported to put sensible safeguards in place.

Household finance

Basic financial checks confirm you can manage household commitments between placements. This isn’t a credit-score exercise to exclude you—carers come from many financial backgrounds—but agencies must ensure sustainability and help you plan for retainers or gaps.

How suitability decisions are made

Triangulating evidence

The assessing social worker pulls together DBS results, references, medicals, training reflections (Skills to Foster), and your home study into a Form F report. This goes to fostering panel, which recommends to the agency decision maker (ADM). The decision letter sets out your approval terms (e.g., age range, numbers, placement types).

Allegations history and learning

If you’ve previously fostered, agencies will ask your former service for references and any allegations/outcomes. The focus is on learning and safer caring practices you now use, not re-litigating the past.

Renewals and ongoing checks after approval

DBS re-checks and continuous monitoring

After approval, agencies either:

• Re-apply for Enhanced DBS every 3 years (typical), or
• Use the DBS Update Service to run annual status checks.

Household composition changes (e.g., a child turns 18, a new adult lodger moves in) trigger new DBS applications. Tell your supervising social worker before changes happen so checks can be planned.

Annual reviews and panel

You’ll have an annual review covering placements, training, any complaints or compliments, and updates to safer caring, health and safety, and bedroom arrangements. Some reviews go back to panel (e.g., significant changes or concerns), others are signed off by ADM. Expect refresher training on safeguarding, first aid, prevent/radicalisation awareness, data protection, and recording standards.

Medical updates

You won’t repeat a full GP medical every year unless required, but any new health information should be shared. If you’re off work long-term or have a new diagnosis, the service may seek an occupational health view on support or adjustments.

Common anxieties—and how to handle them

“I’ve got a minor conviction from years ago.”

Tell your assessor immediately. Many carers have historic issues that are not disqualifying. Your honesty, reflection and the time elapsed usually matter far more than the incident itself.

“A referee fell through.”

Have backup referees ready. Keep contact details updated. If you’ve moved jobs recently, ask a previous manager to provide the employment view.

“Will an allegation end my approval?”

An allegation triggers a clear, structured process. You’ll be supported, and the focus is on fairness, proportionality and learning. Keeping daily logs, sticking to your safer caring plan, and attending supervision all help protect you and the child.

Practical tips to speed things up

Get your paperwork lined up early

Valid passport/driving licence, proof of address, NI number, GP details, referee emails/phones, pet vaccination records, and landlord consent (if renting). The earlier these are verified, the fewer pauses later.

Subscribe to the Update Service

When your DBS arrives, join the Update Service within 30 days. Then share your certificate number with your service so annual checks are instant.

Share changes promptly

New job? New household member? Room changes? Tell your supervising social worker right away—this avoids last-minute panel deferrals or placement delays.

Data protection and fairness

Your information, handled securely

Agencies must follow data protection principles: collect what’s necessary, store it securely, and keep it only as long as needed. You have the right to see and correct information held about you.

Balanced decisions

Safer recruitment isn’t about finding “perfect people”—it’s about balanced, evidence-based decisions. Your openness, willingness to learn, and ability to use support carry real weight.

Bottom line

A thorough safer recruitment process—DBS, references, medicals, and household checks—protects children and sets you up to foster with confidence. Be transparent, prepare your documents and referees, use the DBS Update Service, and keep your service informed of any changes. Once approved, stay renewal-ready: keep your safer caring plan live, your training up to date, and your home checks current. That way, when the right match comes, there are no administrative barriers between a child and a safe, stable home.