Changing foster agencies means moving your fostering application and support from one organisation to another. This guide covers when a transfer may be appropriate, what information is shared, and how to prepare for discussions with a new agency.
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Changing foster agencies involves reviewing your current arrangements, understanding the transfer process and deciding whether another organisation is a better fit for your fostering goals. Our guidance is based on the practical requirements of transferring, including communication between agencies and continuity for children in placement.
Our regional teams understand fostering across the West Midlands and the different local arrangements that can affect foster carers. With offices in Droitwich and Stoke and staff located throughout the region, we can provide guidance that reflects the communities and services around you.
We take an established, structured approach to each enquiry, explaining the relevant stages clearly and helping you identify the questions to ask before making a decision. This includes considering support, training, payments, supervision and how your existing fostering records may be managed during a transfer.
Changing foster care agencies is a structured transfer, not simply a change of contact details. The stages usually cover checking your position, raising the request, agreeing arrangements, completing records and settling into the new agency’s support framework.
Clarify whether you are still being assessed, already approved, or caring for children in placement. Note your reasons for considering a move, any outstanding assessments, and the arrangements that would need to continue during a transfer.
Raise questions about support, communication, training or other practical matters with your supervising social worker or agency contact. This may resolve an issue without requiring a transfer, or help you understand what needs to be addressed before moving.
Compare how potential agencies assess, supervise and support foster carers. Ask about the transfer process, required information, expectations, payments and how the agency would support any children already living with you.
Speak openly with the prospective agency about your circumstances and reasons for changing. Explain your fostering history, current approval status and any placements, so the agency can outline whether it is able to consider your situation.
Fostering records, assessments, references and safeguarding information may need to be reviewed by the new agency. Confirm what will be requested, who will provide it and whether you need to give consent or complete additional paperwork.
If children are already placed with you, changing agencies must be planned with the relevant professionals. Discuss supervision, decision-making, records and continuity of care before any move is confirmed, rather than treating the transfer as an administrative change alone.
The new agency will explain the checks, meetings, assessments or approvals required in your circumstances. Provide accurate information and ask how previous fostering experience will be taken into account, as the process may differ depending on your current status.
Once the transfer is agreed, keep copies of important documents and establish your new contacts, supervision arrangements and training plan. Review the information you have received so you know how to raise questions and access support within the new agency.
Changing foster agencies can affect your approval records, supervision and current placements. Before requesting a move, review your fostering agreement, notice requirements, outstanding training and any placement plans with your supervising social worker.
A transfer should not be treated as complete until responsibilities are clear. Ask who will hold your records, arrange supervision, manage training and communicate with the child’s placing authority during the changeover. Your new agency should explain its assessment of your circumstances and any steps still required.
If a child is living with you, their welfare remains central throughout. Discuss the proposed move with the relevant professionals, agree how information will be shared and check that practical support continues without unnecessary disruption. Keep written notes of decisions and questions raised.
Changing fostering agencies usually requires discussion with your current and prospective agency, reviewing agreements, sharing records, and planning continuity for any children in placement before the transfer is completed properly.
Yes, but arrangements require careful agreement between agencies, your supervising social worker and the child’s placing authority. Do not move without confirming safeguarding, supervision, records and support responsibilities in writing.
Not necessarily. Your new agency will review existing assessment records, but may need updated checks, references, training or interviews. Requirements depend on circumstances, approval status and information available during transfer.
Clarify approval terms, placement preferences, expectations for household members, allegations procedures, complaints handling, fees, and how the agency will involve you in decisions about future placements, support and ongoing reviews.
Your fostering allowance may change because each agency sets its own payment structure and terms. Before transferring, compare allowances, expenses, tax guidance and any changes affecting existing placement arrangements carefully.
When changing foster agencies, consider the practical options available: transferring with children in placement, moving between approval stages, or exploring a new agency before deciding. Comparing policies, communication, training and support can help clarify which route suits your circumstances.
Write down what is prompting the change, such as communication difficulties, different expectations or a change in your household. Separating specific concerns from general uncertainty can help you decide whether a transfer is the right step.
Check your fostering agreement, policies and any written notices before discussing a transfer. Look for clauses covering resignation, notice periods, confidentiality, allegations and the handling of documents.
Ask how the agency approaches supervision, training, matching, safer caring and involvement with the child’s placing authority. Request clear explanations of what would happen to your application or approval during the move.
A move may be more complex when children are already placed with you or when future contact arrangements are being managed. Consider how a change of agency could affect the child’s routines, relationships and agreed plans.
After speaking with both agencies, record what has been agreed, who is responsible for each action and whether any information or consent is still needed. Written confirmation can reduce misunderstandings during the transfer.
Receive honest guidance, dependable communication and continued support from a knowledgeable regional team as you carefully consider changing foster agencies.
Your current agency should explain notice periods, records, placements and outstanding responsibilities. Discussing your circumstances with a prospective agency can clarify suitability before carefully making an informed transfer decision.
Yes, you can usually change agencies during assessment, but the new agency will need to review your circumstances, previous work and remaining requirements before agreeing the next steps with you.
Training requirements after a transfer depend on your approval status, previous learning and the new agency’s policies. They may recognise completed courses, identify gaps and agree any appropriate refresher training.
Your supervising social worker may change, depending on staffing and the receiving agency’s arrangements. Confirm who will supervise you, how introductions happen, and how continuity for children is maintained throughout.
Ask how complaints are recorded, investigated and escalated during a transfer. Obtain policy, contact and timescale, then keep correspondence so unresolved concerns can be reviewed by independent body if necessary.
If you are considering changing foster agencies, speak with our team about your circumstances and questions. We can help you understand the transfer process, identify information to gather and decide what to do next without pressure.