Can I change fostering agencies while a child is placed with me?

Yes. A foster carer can usually transfer to another fostering agency while a child is living with them, but the placement cannot simply move from one agency to another informally. The current agency, proposed agency and the child’s placing local authority must work together to protect the child’s welfare, maintain consistent care and agree the practical arrangements before the transfer takes effect.

The child will not normally need to move just because you change agency. If the new agency is satisfied that it can support you and the local authority agrees that the placement should continue, the child may remain in your home. However, this depends on the child’s care plan, your approval, the suitability of the proposed arrangements and the views of everyone with responsibility for the placement.

The transfer normally involves the following steps:

• Discuss your intention with your current agency. You should tell your supervising social worker or another appropriate member of the agency’s team that you are considering a transfer. This gives the agency an opportunity to understand your reasons, address any concerns and explain the relevant procedure. You should also check your fostering agreement for any notice requirements, although the exact process will depend on the circumstances.
• Make contact with the proposed agency. The new agency will need detailed information about your approval, household, experience, training, support needs and current placement. It should also understand the child’s needs and the responsibilities involved before deciding whether it can accept the transfer.
• Involve the placing local authority. The local authority responsible for the child must be part of the planning. It will consider whether the transfer supports the child’s welfare and whether the new arrangements remain consistent with the child’s care plan and placement needs. The child’s social worker should be involved, and the child’s views should be taken into account in an age-appropriate way.
• Share and review records. Relevant fostering and placement records may need to be shared between the current agency, the new agency and the local authority. This can include your assessment and approval information, training record, supervision notes, placement agreements, important health or education information and details of the child’s routines and support needs. Information must be handled lawfully and only shared with those who need it for safeguarding and care planning.
• Agree the transfer arrangements. The agencies and local authority should agree when responsibility will move, who will provide support before and after that date, how records will be transferred and how the child’s day-to-day care will remain stable. This may involve a formal transfer meeting or another agreed planning process.
• Complete the new agency’s approval process. The proposed agency must be satisfied that you meet its fostering requirements and that it can approve and support you appropriately. It may need to review existing assessments, update information, carry out further checks or arrange additional meetings. Your previous approval is not automatically transferred simply because you apply to a different agency.

Your current agency remains responsible until the agreed transfer is complete. Until the change formally takes effect, you should continue to follow its policies, placement agreement, recording requirements and instructions. You should not end your approval with the current agency or assume that the new agency is responsible until this has been confirmed in writing.

Before agreeing to the move, ask how the proposed agency will support the particular child in placement. Clarify who will be your supervising social worker, how supervision will be arranged, who to contact about safeguarding concerns, how out-of-hours arrangements are handled by that agency, and how the child’s education, health appointments, family time and delegated authority will be managed. It is also sensible to confirm how existing training will be recognised and whether any new training is required.

Money should be discussed before the transfer is finalised. Ask for written details of the fostering allowance, any additional payments linked to the child’s needs, expenses, tax information and when payments will be made. Allowances and payment arrangements can differ between agencies, and a change should not be assumed to be financially neutral. Make sure you understand which agency or local authority will make each payment during the transition so that there is no avoidable uncertainty.

If there is an ongoing complaint, allegation, safeguarding matter or serious concern about the placement, changing agency does not make the issue disappear or transfer responsibility without proper investigation. The current agency and local authority must continue to manage the matter under the relevant procedures, and the new agency will need enough information to assess whether it can safely support the placement. Be open about any such matter when speaking to a proposed agency.

There are circumstances in which a transfer may not be agreed immediately. For example, the local authority may need more information, the proposed agency may not be able to meet the child’s needs, or the agencies may identify a safeguarding or approval issue that requires further work. If the placement is under significant strain, a meeting should focus first on safety and stability rather than treating the agency change as a quick solution.

Before giving notice or signing with a new agency, obtain a clear written plan covering the transfer date, approval status, supervision, training, allowances, records, support contacts and the arrangements for the child’s continuing care. A carefully managed transfer can allow the child to remain settled while you move to a different agency, but the decision should be based on the child’s needs as well as your experience of support from the current agency.