Ofsted
Ofsted is the independent body which institutes rigorous multi-criteria inspections across our infrastructure, case management, carer appropriateness and leadership capabilities, and rates our quality, safety and care effectiveness.
View Ofsted's website
Agency Decision Maker
The ADM evaluates recommendations from panel reviews and leadership to formally ratify foster arrangements, applicant approvals and continuity in delivering standardised care quality. enable placement formalisation, careronboarding and monitoring of review actions through a non-operational function ence.
Policies & Procedures
Indigo's policies offer a clear and proactive care framework spanning performance, practices, accountability and progressive milestones required for statutory, quality and outcome compliance. The policies instruct mandatory operating procedures and risk control checkpoints that qualified staff and certified carers need to deliver quality care.
View how we maintain regulatory compliance
Panel
Our independent panel provides recommendations on the suitability of foster carer applicants, placement arrangements and corrective actions needed in case of standards deviation through impartial case reviews. Panel members guide approval, match and review activities through various specialised lenses including care, health, safety, progress, and welfare.
Registered Manager
Ofsted is the independent body which institutes rigorous multi-criteria inspections across our infrastructure, case management, carer appropriateness and leadership capabilities, and rates our quality, safety and care effectiveness.
Supervising Social Worker
SSWs oversee foster placements and are the bridge between foster carers and leadership to advocate children’s interests and also provide frontline support. They ensure smooth day-to-day operations within the foster home, and are accountable for consistent welfare checks, progress reporting, and addressing the holistic needs of their designated placements.
Local Authority
The Child's Social Worker and Independent Reviewing Officer are Local Authority figures responsible for safeguarding welfare through specialised case work, while independently evaluating foster placement suitability and care plan efficacy. They are accountable for victim advocacy across investigative forums, family courts and immigration processes while determining appropriate support and services for young people.
Young Person
At the absolute centre of our organisation, our purpose is to provide customised care which addresses the individual medical, educational, social, and psychological needs of young people. All services revolve around supporting their growth within a nurturing home environment. We provide specialised care, housing, healthcare and educational assistance, skills development and transition needs from trained agency staff and certified carers.
Foster Carer
The foster carer provides daily care and nurturing support tailored to the needs of children placed with them through the agency. They are accountable for the child's safety and wellbeing and for providing a serene and supportive home environment underpinned by Indigo's robust support capabilities.
External Professionals
External medical, psychosocial and academic experts provide specialised services to foster children addressing needs like trauma, learning gaps, mental health and others considered beyond the normal capabilities of foster carers. They are responsible for timely expert interventions per customised referrals, and for sharing progress indicators with agency staff for holistic oversight.
Regulations & Standards
UK regulations ensure our operations adhere to standards, placement procedures, incident reporting and more. They dictate our codes of practice spanning departmental accountability, infrastructure prerequisites, child protection prerequities, approvals and reviews.
View the UK Fostering National Minimum StandardsOfsted
Ofsted is the independent body which institutes rigorous multi-criteria inspections across our infrastructure, case management, carer appropriateness and leadership capabilities, and rates our quality, safety and care effectiveness.
View Ofsted's websiteOfsted
Ofsted is the independent body which institutes rigorous multi-criteria inspections across our infrastructure, case management, carer appropriateness and leadership capabilities, and rates our quality, safety and care effectiveness.
View Ofsted's website
Monitoring
Monitoring ensures that the standards of care and agency policies are being adhered to and that children's needs are met. This process involves regular checks and balances by the Supervising Social Worker and is overseen via senior management and Ofsted.
Ofsted
Ofsted is the independent body which institutes rigorous multi-criteria inspections across our infrastructure, case management, carer appropriateness and leadership capabilities, and rates our quality, safety and care effectiveness.
View Ofsted's websiteOfsted
Ofsted is the independent body which institutes rigorous multi-criteria inspections across our infrastructure, case management, carer appropriateness and leadership capabilities, and rates our quality, safety and care effectiveness.
View Ofsted's websiteRecording
Recording is essential for accountability and spans across all roles. It involves maintaining records of decisions, care plans, and other critical documentation. The Responsible Individual oversees that proper records are kept, which are crucial for Ofsted's regulatory oversight.
Ofsted
Ofsted is the independent body which institutes rigorous multi-criteria inspections across our infrastructure, case management, carer appropriateness and leadership capabilities, and rates our quality, safety and care effectiveness.
View Ofsted's websiteOfsted
Ofsted is the independent body which institutes rigorous multi-criteria inspections across our infrastructure, case management, carer appropriateness and leadership capabilities, and rates our quality, safety and care effectiveness.
View Ofsted's websiteReview
Review processes are integral at each level of the organisation, for example regular Registered Manager reviews of Supervising Social Workers, or undertakings of the Panel reviewed by the Agency Decision Maker to evaluate the suitability of foster carers and the placement of young people.
Ofsted
Ofsted is the independent body which institutes rigorous multi-criteria inspections across our infrastructure, case management, carer appropriateness and leadership capabilities, and rates our quality, safety and care effectiveness.
View Ofsted's websiteOfsted
Ofsted is the independent body which institutes rigorous multi-criteria inspections across our infrastructure, case management, carer appropriateness and leadership capabilities, and rates our quality, safety and care effectiveness.
View Ofsted's websiteReferral
Referrals are a mechanism to direct for further action where capabilities require resourcing, continually overseen by senior management. Externally this can also involve professionals like the Child Social Worker for ensuring that the children are matched with the appropriate carers and services.
Ofsted
Ofsted is the independent body which institutes rigorous multi-criteria inspections across our infrastructure, case management, carer appropriateness and leadership capabilities, and rates our quality, safety and care effectiveness.
View Ofsted's websiteOfsted
Ofsted is the independent body which institutes rigorous multi-criteria inspections across our infrastructure, case management, carer appropriateness and leadership capabilities, and rates our quality, safety and care effectiveness.
View Ofsted's websiteReporting
Reporting involves the collection and submission of information about the agency's operations and the welfare of the young people in our care, which is crucial for frontline staff and carers, who carry signals to address service and resource needs and standards across the organisation.
Ofsted
Ofsted is the independent body which institutes rigorous multi-criteria inspections across our infrastructure, case management, carer appropriateness and leadership capabilities, and rates our quality, safety and care effectiveness.
View Ofsted's websiteOfsted
Ofsted is the independent body which institutes rigorous multi-criteria inspections across our infrastructure, case management, carer appropriateness and leadership capabilities, and rates our quality, safety and care effectiveness.
View Ofsted's website
We'll guide you every step of the way.
Every foster carer's journey is unique. Throughout your time with Indigo we will work to your strengths and deploy our resources for enabling rewarding and effective development in the fostering role.
Expression of Interest and Preliminary Checks
Once you confirm your eligibility with us, we'll carry out required checks to make sure fostering is right for you and that your home is a safe place for a child. This process can normally take 2-3 weeks.
The Form F Assessment
While we wait for checks to come back, we'll start diving deeper into the Form F Assessment. It is a series interview visits where we seek to understand your lifestyle, your home, and your ability to care for a child. We can then establish your case for approval and lay the groundwork to match you with the right child. This is an 8-week process.
Approval and Matching
Your assessment will go for evaluation to our panel, where upon approval you will be officially welcomed as an Indigo foster carer. We will then undergo the matching process to find a child whose needs match well with your family, which in common cases is a 1-2 week turnaround.
Your First Placement
Meeting your first foster child is a big moment where we will ensure a smooth transition into your home, and your fostering journey will officially begin.
Ongoing Development and Support
We provide continuous development opportunities, starting with induction training that prepares you for the fostering role and gets you fully acquainted with your supervising social worker. Through resources, training, and a peer fostering community, we ensure you're empowered to meet the evolving needs of foster children in your care.
Foster Carer Trajectory
Maps out the journey for foster carers, including assessment, training, and development milestones.
Indigo Children's Guide
Speak to Us
A member of senior management will walk you through the assessment process and discuss your eligibility.
Schedule a Callback
Indigo Wiki
Our digital repository containing resources like our policies and the Indigo CALM Foster Carer Induction Program.
Indigo Wiki
How Indigo Works
An inside look at how our agency infrastructure delivers safe and enriching experiences for children.
Indigo Children's GuideSpeak to Us
A member of our team will walk you through the assessment process and discuss your eligibility.
Schedule a CallbackIndigo Wiki
Our digital repository containing resources like our policies and the Indigo CALM Foster Carer Induction Program.
Indigo WikiSchedule a brief introduction with a member of our team who will answer your questions and assess your readiness to begin the fostering journey.
Schedule a call