How is my fostering approval transferred between agencies?

Your fostering approval is transferred when the new fostering agency completes its assessment and formally approves you under its own fostering procedures. Your existing approval is not simply copied from one agency to another. The new agency must satisfy itself that you remain suitable to foster, that your household can meet the needs of children placed with you, and that the proposed approval terms are appropriate.

The process will usually involve the following stages:

• Initial discussion: You speak with the prospective agency about your reasons for transferring, your current approval, your fostering experience and any children currently placed with you. This is also an opportunity to explain what support and terms are important to your household.
• Consent to share information: You will normally be asked to give permission for relevant information to be obtained from your current agency. This can include your assessment, review records, training history, safeguarding information, health details and records relating to placements. The agencies should handle this information lawfully and securely.
• Review of your approval: The new agency examines the evidence behind your original assessment and subsequent fostering history. It may need to clarify changes in your circumstances, household composition, health, accommodation, employment, support network or experience since you were approved.
• Further assessment where necessary: The new agency may arrange visits, interviews or updated checks if information is incomplete, out of date or requires verification. This does not necessarily mean starting the entire assessment from the beginning, but the agency must carry out enough work to reach a sound decision.
• Consideration of approval terms: The new agency considers the age range, number of children, gender, placement types and any other terms attached to your approval. Its assessment may conclude that the existing terms remain suitable, or that they should be amended to reflect your current circumstances and the agency’s fostering service.
• Formal decision: The agency’s decision-maker, and where required its fostering panel, considers the information before approval is confirmed. You should receive written information explaining the outcome and the terms under which you will be approved.

There may be a period during which both agencies communicate and plan the handover. This is particularly important if a child is living with you, because decisions about the child’s care should not be disrupted by the change of agency. The agencies should agree who is responsible for support, supervision, safeguarding and record keeping during the transition, so that there is no uncertainty about professional responsibilities.

The new agency will also need to understand your ongoing development needs. It may review completed training, identify any learning that must be refreshed, and explain its procedures for supervision, reviews, safeguarding concerns, recording and reporting incidents. These requirements form part of joining the new fostering service and do not automatically mean that your previous training is disregarded.

A transfer can result in approval being confirmed on the same terms, approved with revised terms, or not accepted by the new agency. For example, the agency may identify a difference between the type of placements you have previously taken and the placements it is able to support. Any proposed change should be explained to you, including why it is considered necessary and what it means in practice.

Before agreeing to transfer, ask the new agency to explain:

• which documents and checks it will require;
• who will manage each stage of the transfer;
• how your current approval terms will be considered;
• how supervision and safeguarding arrangements will operate during the handover;
• what happens if the new agency does not approve you on the same terms; and
• when your new approval takes effect and how the ending of your current approval will be recorded.

You should not assume that you can accept a new placement while the transfer is still being arranged. Your current agency remains responsible for its own approval and placements until the change has been formally completed, so the position should be confirmed with both agencies before any new placement is considered.

Our fostering team can explain the evidence needed for the transfer, help you understand how your approval terms may be reviewed and coordinate discussions about the next steps. We support applicants and approved foster carers across the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Dudley, Sandwell, Herefordshire, Telford, Wolverhampton, Shropshire, Walsall, Warwickshire, Stoke, Solihull, Coventry and Gloucestershire.