Integrated Assessment Process
The NFCQ Integrated Assessment process for the approval of foster carers.
The NFCQ Integrated Assessment Process (IAP) for the approval of foster carers
Modernising systems, reflecting on processes and learning from their implementation is essential for progress and improvement.
Foster care is no different, to add to that we owe progression and improvement, not just to ourselves or the industry, but to the thousands of vulnerable children and young people who’s lives we hold in our hands.
The biggest challenge currently facing foster care is the sufficiency of placements, specifically those of skilled, loving fostering homes able to meet the ever-increasing numbers and needs of our looked-after children.
With this in mind, NFCQ has developed a new innovative strengths-based integrated foster carer assessment process, not a stand-alone piece of work but a foundation, a process that enables the opportunity for continual quality learning and growth, skilled carers able to meet the needs of children and work relationally in collaboration with their team.
The NFCQ IAP will improve outcomes for children, with foster carers who are able to create skilled and loving homes, and long-term stable placements that go beyond just ‘meeting needs’ to being aspirational for those they care for.
One of the most crucial elements of the NFCQ IAP is the timescale, something we know to be one of the biggest barriers to recruitment and successful assessment to approval conversion statistics. We have therefore cut the assessment time from 6-8 months to approximately 8-10 weeks.
Breakdown of Foster Carers Recruitment
The statistics
- 138,075 initial enquires into becoming a foster carer
- 5670 (5%) went into assessment
- 3925 candidates dropped out
- 71% of those candidates withdrew themselves
- Out of 138,075 enquires just 1745 became foster carers
These figures show that initial enquiries to foster are not the issue, it’s what happens after this initial enquiry that needs addressing, it is highly unlikely that 136,330 people were unsuitable to foster.
The NFCQ is an integrated system that supports the journey from enquiry to conversion by facilitating more people to the point of assessment, to address this problem.
The NFCQ IAP is a robust system embedded in a modern timescale, consistent with fostering regulations and minimum standards, a system with safeguarding at its heart, a strengths-based process with a built-in comprehensive foundation qualification that will deliver confident, professional and resilient foster carers.
Our IAP will construct the foundations required to create long-term stable fostering homes able to meet the needs of traumatised vulnerable children and deliver the outcomes they deserve.
Sarah Anderson
NFCQ Co-founder
The NFCQ Integrated Assessment Process
The future of modern foster care
NFCQ is a non-profit organisation dedicated to enhancing foster care practices and improving outcomes for children.
What are the Advantages of Choosing the Integrated Assessment Process?
The Framework
The NFCQ IAP presents a comprehensive solution designed to streamline the transition from initial inquiry to successful conversion, addressing a critical need within the fostering process.
Built upon contemporary timelines and underpinned by fostering regulations and minimum standards, our system places a strong emphasis on safeguarding principles. It employs a strengths-based approach and integrates a thorough foundational qualification, ensuring the cultivation of competent, confident, and resilient foster carers.
By establishing a solid groundwork, our IAP aims to establish secure and lasting fostering environments capable of effectively meeting the complex needs of traumatised and vulnerable children, thereby providing positive outcomes for their well-being and futures.
The Integrated Assessment Process (IAP) serves as a starting point rather than a final destination.
This rigorous assessment process combined with an accredited qualification ensures applicants possess the requisite knowledge and skills to adeptly fulfil their responsibilities from the initiation of their fostering journey. This results in enhanced outcomes and placement stability for the children under their care, as well as improved retention rates.
- In refining the assessment process, we have modernised without reinventing, optimising existing structures for contemporary needs.
- We have transitioned away from a singular assessor model, which accelerates the process while ensuring relevance to current standards in assessment protocol.
- This streamlined method reduces assessment duration from 8 months to 8 weeks*, maintaining the stringent checks and safeguarding protocols synonymous with child protection and our own standards.
- The IAP embraces a self-evaluation, strengths-based model, our assessment serves as a cornerstone for fostering roles, emphasising ongoing development rather than a finite endpoint.
- By involving multiple assessors for shorter durations, we enrich the evaluation process, providing diverse perspectives essential for a thorough analysis of applicant suitability.
- The implementation of continual audit procedures facilitate a comprehensive system of checks and balances throughout the entire process, involving multiple team members. This approach ensures a higher delivery of safeguarding through the engagement of diverse perspectives and expertise, mitigating the risk of singular unconscious biases and providing a broader frame of reference.
What are the components and features comprising the IAP package?
- The NFCQ iTOL Accredited Foundation Qualification is fully certified for each candidate.
- Guidance on optional NFCQ Groups.
- Comprehensive guidance notes and pathway framework for NFCQ IAP assessment teams.
- Legislation underpinning the IAP.
- Intent and Purpose.
- Objectives.
- The IAP Team.
- Data protection and privacy.
- The IAP foster carer summary report.
- Qualities in candidates and prospective fostering homes.
- The framework and pathway for candidates.
Undertaking the Independent Assessment Process (IAP)
- Full paperwork and forms (online) to provide full written report panel.
- Essential Fostering regulations and minimum standards to consider in the assessment
- DBS, Medical Reports, personal and professional references
- Home checks, household finances, pets, social media, schools, nurseries and other situations.
Guidance to the full assessment
- Initial enquiry/screening and first visit.
- Guidance on the initial interview.
- Guidance from stage one through to stage four, panel to ADM.
- Full applicant self assessment tools.
- Matching assessment protocol.
- IAP foster carer summary report.
- Guidance on the structure of the timeframe.
- Guidance on evaluation and safeguarding.
Frequently asked questions
Please find links to our frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions.
For pricing inquiries please email us: [email protected]