In this article, we explore some of the most common interview questions asked during a foster care worker interview along with some great answers to help you win the job.
Foster Care Paperwork | Home Study Interview Questions
Foster Care Home Study Questions
A foster care home study is designed to give the home study writer, foster care agency and the court a clear and accurate picture of you personally and your family. The questions asked are likely to feel a bit intrusive, so it is best to prepare yourself for the interview.
Where will the Home Study Interview be Conducted?
Many times, the interview will be conducted in the prospective foster home. This is sometimes the first visit to the home so, you should make sure your home is as ready as possible to receive a foster child. You can find a Foster Home Safety Checklist here along with many items you may need to secure your home for a foster child. I also recommend signing up for Amazon Prime in order to get any requested items in place quickly and cost effectively.
Tell me about your ability to work under pressure?
Answer tips:
Here’s where the ability to perform under fire comes into play. And, if possible, give an example that is relatable to the type of position that you are applying for.
The ideal way to respond to this question is to provide examples and situations of how you have handled stress in your previous jobs. In this way, the interviewer can establish a clear picture of how well you are likely to react when the going gets tough.
Pro tip: make sure you are not referencing a time when your lack of organization or communication put you in a “self induced” stressful scenario. This is to say, don’t share a story about how your procrastiation created a situation where you had to finish a project quickly.
Answer samples
Foster care social workers often work with children who have experienced trauma and abuse. They also interact with parents who may be struggling to provide for their families. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the stress of working in a challenging environment. In your answer, share how you manage stress. Share an example of a time when you faced a stressful situation and overcame it.
Example: “I’ve been through this situation several times as a foster care social worker. In my last position, I was working with a family where the father was abusing his children. The mother knew about it, but she didn’t want to leave him because of financial reasons. We decided together that the best thing for the kids was to get them out of the home and into foster care until they could find a safe place to live.”
Foster care social workers are responsible for finding homes for children who have been removed from their families due to abuse or neglect. They also provide support to the foster families and children. Foster care social workers need to have a strong desire to help children and families, as well as excellent communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
Example: “I think one thing that sets your organization apart from others is its commitment to providing quality foster care services to children who need it most. I have worked in child welfare before, and I’ve seen many organizations that are more concerned about making money than they are about helping kids. Your organization seems to be different because of its focus on hiring qualified foster care social workers like myself.”
Employers want to know that you are committed to your own professional development. They may ask this question to see if you have a plan for continuing your education and training throughout your career as a foster care social worker. In your answer, try to explain how you will stay up-to-date on the latest developments in your field.
FAQ
What questions do you ask a foster parent?
- Why is this child being placed?
- Previous placement experience of the child?
- What is the child’s legal status?
- What is the family situation; parents’ name?
- What is the plan for the child? …
- Is there a hearing set for termination of parental rights?
- Will there be pre-placement visits?
What questions are asked in foster care home study?
- How would you describe yourself?
- What do you do for a living?
- Do you enjoy your work?
- What are some of your hobbies?
- How would you describe your personality?
What is the biggest challenge in fostering?
- Challenges of foster care.
- Supporting children who’ve experienced trauma.
- Maintaining ties to culture while in foster care.
- Caring for children from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Participating in case planning.
- Life Story work.
- School and education.
- Raising tweens and teens.
Why do you want to be a foster parent?
