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Our Process

Becoming a foster carer is a carefully supported journey.

Our Process

Becoming a Foster Carer

Becoming a foster carer is a carefully supported journey. From your first enquiry through to welcoming a mokopuna into your home, our team will take the time to get to know you, prepare you for the role and make sure fostering is right for everyone involved.

The process is thorough because the safety and wellbeing of mokopuna come first. You will be kept informed, supported and given opportunities to ask questions at every stage.

1. Enquiry

Your journey begins when you contact our team.

We will talk with you about your interest in fostering, your household and the types of care currently needed. This is an opportunity to ask questions and decide whether you would like to take the next step.

2. Honohono Session

You will be invited to a Honohono information session, either online or in person.

Honohono means to connect. During this session, you will learn more about foster care, the needs of mokopuna and the support Key Assets provides. You can also hear what the role involves before deciding whether to continue.

3. Initial Training

Our initial training helps prepare you for the realities and responsibilities of fostering.

You will learn about trauma-informed care, identity and whakapapa, building safe relationships, responding to different needs and working as part of the wider support team around mokopuna.

4. Vetting and Checks

Foster carers have an important responsibility to provide safe care, so everyone who applies must complete a series of checks.

These may include identity, police, medical and referee checks, along with conversations about your household, relationships, health and personal history. Our team will explain what is required and guide you through the process.

5. Home Visit and Assessment

A member of our team will meet with you and the people who live in your home.

The assessment helps us understand your experiences, strengths, relationships, routines and reasons for fostering. We will also talk about the needs you may be best placed to support and make sure your home can provide a safe and welcoming environment.

This is a two-way process. It gives you time to reflect, ask questions and consider how fostering may affect your household.

6. Midway Review

Partway through the assessment, we will pause and review the journey together.

We will discuss what has been completed, any areas that need further exploration and whether everyone feels comfortable continuing. This helps ensure the process remains open, informed and right for you.

7. Approval

Once the assessment and required checks are complete, your application will be considered for approval.

You will be told the outcome and, when approved, the types of care and needs you are best suited to support. Approval is an important milestone, but a mokopuna will not necessarily be placed with you immediately.

8. Carer Induction

Before you begin providing care, you will complete an induction with Key Assets.

We will introduce you to the people who will support you, explain important policies and processes, and make sure you know where to turn for advice and practical help.

9. Matching with Mokopuna

Matching is one of the most important parts of the process.

We carefully consider the needs, identity, culture, relationships and circumstances of mokopuna alongside your household, skills and experience. The goal is not simply to find an available home, but to create a care arrangement that can provide safety, stability and connection.

You will receive the available information and have an opportunity to discuss the proposed match before any decisions are made.

When mokopuna comes into your care, you will not be expected to manage alone.

Your Key Assets team will continue walking alongside you with training, regular contact, specialist guidance and practical support. Together, we will help you provide the safe, steady and nurturing care every mokopuna deserves.