What is a home study?
For most new foster parents, preparing for your first foster child placement can be intimidating. Completing a required foster or adoption home study and home inspection only adds to that stress.
In short, a home study is one of the most important foster care licensing requirements – an assessment of an individual or a couple and their home to determine if they are suitable for fostering a child. Licensors completing a home study visit your home to help qualify your residence as a safe place for a foster child.
What do social workers look for in a home study?
Generally, a home study for foster care includes a series of interviews and a home inspection. After your first planned home study, your social worker will help you figure out what areas of your home need improvement to ensure approval. This process can be daunting, but with a few simple changes, you can feel confident preparing your home for a child. Below are some tips for having a quick and successful home study visit.
Home study requirements for foster care
Home study requirements by state can differ, but here is a quick look at some of the things you can expect.
1. Child-proof your home
The first step you will want to take is to childproof your home and make it as safe as possible for young children. Start by searching your home for exposed electrical outlets, sharp corners, choking hazards, or twisted cables. Put away any knives and chemical products safely out of a child’s reach.
Ask a friend who is already a parent what kind of protective measures they took before their baby arrived, and do a quick online search for affordable door locks, safety latches, outlet covers, window guards, and safety gates. In addition, take a look around your home and make a list of all the loose objects a child might find entertaining.
If you are fostering teens, you should consider cleaning up not only your physical space, but your digital space as well. Set age-appropriate TV controls and add website filters on your computer to avoid access to inappropriate content.
Remember that a messy teen’s room or some dishes in the sink will not disqualify you from moving forward. Shift your focus to the changes you can make to provide safety to a child.
2. Lock away drugs and alcohol
If you enjoy an occasional glass of wine or a cigarette you may want to adjust your habits. It’s important for your home to be cleansed of anything that could be physically harmful to your child. Since you will now be the prime caretaker of a vulnerable minor, your home should always be completely alcohol and drug-free. Therefore, prescription medications, tobacco and alcohol should be locked away and placed somewhere inaccessible to your child.
3. Home study paperwork
After you finish your home requirements for foster care, you should also prepare any paperwork you will need for the home visit. This will help limit the number of check-ups your social worker has to make.
Before your scheduled meetings, complete all necessary licensing documents and prepare them to be submitted. Make copies of originals and sign any documents that you know your social worker will need. Nothing shows interest more than someone who is prepared.
Preparing for your home study interview
During your home visit, your licensor will conduct an interview. This interview will include a variety of topics such as the role of a foster parent, your motivation for fostering, family dynamics, your support system, and your background. Home study questions for foster care can differ depending on the foster care or adoption agency.
1. Consider your strengths
Take some time to think about what makes you special and what qualities make you a great foster parent. Qualities such as a healthy relationship or your strong support network are good highlights to share when asked about your strengths.
In addition, make a list of all the skills you think will nurture the growth of a child, and be prepared to reveal very intimate information. Take time to think deeply about the reasons why you want to become a foster parent.
2. Be honest
Home study interviews can get personal. Remember that this is done in the best interest of the foster child. You should always be transparent about your background and your intentions.
You may be worried about situations you have gone through at a younger age coming to light. Just know that these do not always disqualify you from being a foster parent, and you should check in with your licensor to talk it through.
Being honest in your interview about your intentions and your support system will ultimately help the licensing team match you and the foster child with a good placement.
We are here to help
Before your scheduled home study visit, make sure you are mentally and physically prepared for the walkthrough, interview, and paperwork. Our dedicated licensing team is happy to answer any questions or concerns you have when preparing for your foster home study.
For questions regarding the process of becoming a foster parent, don’t hesitate to contact our foster care experts. We are available via phone or email 24/7 and are here to support you.
Download our foster care home study checklist pdf.
For more information on the home study process and requirements to be a foster parent in your area, please visit cayugacenters.org
