We are ready to support and guide you through your personal and unique circumstance.
We will provide you with all the information you need. We will discuss with you what to expect and what fostering may mean for you and your family? We’ll also get to know you and your family and recommend the best type of placement for your home.
1. Initial interview
We will inform you, answer your questions and help you to think about whether fostering is right for you and your circumstance.
2. Home visit
Our foster supervisor will visit your home to answer any questions and explain how Cornerstone will work with and support you in your fostering journey. If we’re both in agreement we’ll move forwards with an application form.
3. Fostering assessment
We will move forward and return to visit your home several more times to get to know you, your family and any skills and experience you have that will help you with fostering. This information will be documented in your home study.
4. Fostering management and approval
After your fostering assessment and all the relevant checks and references are completed, we’ll present your information to our managers. The Program Director will make the final decision about your approval as a foster parent.
After you’re approved, we’ll begin to match a child /youth to both your experience and skills. You will not be alone, we will be there to support you throughout your fostering career.
5. What will you need to become Cornerstones foster parent?
As part of the application process, we’ll carry out a number of references and checks. These include:
Vulnerable Sector Police Screenings
Children’s Aid Society checks (including all child protection records)
Police checks for all adults living in the home.
A medical report from your doctor
Written references from at least 3 personal referees if you are a single applicant and 5 personal referees if you are fostering as a couple.
Evidence of citizenship, car and home insurances and valid driver’s license
References from current and previous employers or foster care agencies
A full safety check on your home including pets
Home study questioner
How long does the process take?
Depending on your circumstances and experience, a month to three month is our usual processing time.