Can I meet my prospective supervising social worker before transferring fostering agencies?

A pre-transfer meeting is an opportunity to understand how the prospective supervising social worker would work with you before the move is confirmed. It is separate from the formal transfer process, so meeting the worker does not itself transfer your approval or end your arrangements with your current fostering agency.

The meeting may be held in person or remotely, depending on the arrangements made by the prospective agency. You can ask who will attend, whether the worker is likely to remain your allocated supervising social worker, and what happens if the allocation changes. In some cases, the initial discussion may involve a team manager or another member of the fostering team so that the agency can understand your circumstances properly.

Use the meeting to explore practical aspects of supervision rather than treating it as a general introduction. Useful questions include:

• How will supervision be organised and recorded?
• How will the worker help you manage allegations, complaints, placement difficulties or changes in a child’s behaviour?
• What support is available outside supervision, and who should you contact when your supervising social worker is unavailable?
• How are training needs identified, and how will existing training and experience be recognised?
• How does the agency involve foster carers in reviews, decisions and care planning?
• How are concerns escalated if you disagree with advice or feel that support is not meeting your needs?
• What support is available to everyone in your fostering household, including children and other adults who help with fostering?

You should also explain any matters that could affect the transfer, such as an ongoing placement, planned introductions, changes in your household, concerns about current support or previous complaints. This allows the prospective worker to identify information that may need to be shared with the relevant professionals and to plan continuity for any child in placement. Information should be handled in line with data-protection requirements, and you can ask what will be recorded and who will receive it.

The meeting is not an assessment of whether you are a suitable person to foster from the beginning, because you already hold fostering approval. However, the prospective agency must still obtain and review relevant records and complete the required checks and discussions before accepting the transfer. It may need information from your current agency, placing authorities and other professionals involved with a child in placement. The final decision will therefore consider the complete transfer information, not just how the meeting goes.

You are not normally required to commit immediately after meeting the worker. Ask for an explanation of the proposed next steps, including how consent is obtained, how records are exchanged, how outstanding training or reviews are dealt with, and how arrangements for current placements will be protected during the move. If you are uncertain, you can raise further questions before agreeing to proceed.

A good meeting should leave you clear about the proposed working relationship, the support structure and the practical stages still to complete. If the discussion identifies a significant mismatch in expectations, raise it before the transfer progresses so that the agency can consider whether another supervising social worker or a different arrangement would be more appropriate.