What does foster to foster mean?

Foster to foster describes the process of an approved foster carer moving from one fostering agency to another while continuing to foster. It is not the same as starting fostering again from the beginning, and it does not usually mean that a child must move to a different home. The main aim is to manage the change carefully, protect the child’s welfare and make sure the carer can continue to provide suitable care.

The transfer may involve a move from a local authority fostering service to an independent fostering agency, from one independent agency to another, or between two local authority services. The reason for considering a move is personal to each carer. It might relate to the type of placements available, the support provided, changes within the household or a wish to work with a different organisation. A carer should consider the practical effect on every child placed with them before deciding.

What happens during a foster to foster move?

The current agency, the proposed agency and the relevant local authority will normally need to communicate with one another. This helps everyone understand the carer’s approval, fostering history, current placement arrangements and any matters that could affect the child. The proposed agency will also need to assess whether it can meet the carer’s needs and continue to support the existing placement safely.

• The carer discusses the proposed move with the new agency and confirms that it is able to consider the transfer.
• Information is shared between the organisations, subject to the appropriate permissions and safeguarding requirements.
• The agencies review the carer’s approval, household circumstances, training, supervision history and placement information.
• A transfer meeting or planning discussion may take place with the people involved in the child’s care.
• The agencies agree how responsibilities, records, supervision and financial arrangements will move from one service to the other.
• The new agency completes its approval and onboarding steps before taking responsibility for the fostering arrangement.

The exact route depends on the circumstances, including whether a child is currently living with the carer. Where there is a placement, the child’s social worker and placing authority will need to be involved. Their views are important because a change of agency must not disrupt the child’s care plan, relationships, education, health arrangements or sense of security.

Does the carer have to start the assessment again?

A foster to foster transfer is not normally treated as a completely new application. However, the new agency must obtain enough reliable information to make its own decision about approval and safe practice. It may ask questions about the household, fostering experience, previous assessments, training, reviews, complaints, allegations, safer caring arrangements and health. Updated checks or assessments may be needed where information is missing, circumstances have changed or safeguarding requires further consideration.

This means a transfer can involve assessment work even when the carer has substantial fostering experience. The purpose is not to disregard that experience, but to ensure the new agency understands the household and can take proper responsibility for the approval.

What happens to an existing placement?

A child should not be moved simply because the foster carer is changing agency. The professionals involved should consider whether remaining in the same home is in the child’s best interests. They will look at the child’s wishes and feelings where appropriate, the stability of the placement, the carer’s ability to meet the child’s needs and the support that will be available after the transfer.

If the placement continues, there should be a clear handover. This may cover daily routines, health needs, contact arrangements, education, delegated authority, risk management, important relationships and the child’s care plan. The carer should ask who will be responsible for supervision and decisions at each stage, so there is no uncertainty during the changeover.

What should a prospective transferring carer compare?

• How the new agency provides supervision, advice and out-of-hours arrangements where relevant to the placement.
• Whether it can support the child’s specific needs and the type of fostering the household undertakes.
• How training, reviews and development planning will be managed.
• How allegations, complaints, safeguarding concerns and emergencies are handled.
• How fostering payments, expenses and other financial arrangements are explained and reviewed.
• How the household will be involved in decisions and kept informed during the move.
• Whether the agency has a clear plan for transferring records and maintaining confidentiality.

A carer should request clear written information before agreeing to transfer. It is reasonable to ask what the new agency expects from the household, what information it needs, whether any approval terms may change and how the current placement will be supported during the handover.

The decision should be based on the needs of the children in the household as well as the carer’s experience of the current agency. A transfer is a planned professional change, so careful communication and an agreed handover are more important than simply changing the name of the organisation responsible for the fostering approval.