What happens during a fostering agency transfer?

During a fostering agency transfer, the new agency assesses whether it can safely support you, your household and any children in placement, while the current agency and relevant local authority coordinate the change. The process is structured rather than an immediate switch, because responsibility for safeguarding, supervision, records and placement arrangements must remain clear throughout.

1. An initial discussion with the prospective agency

The process usually begins with a confidential conversation about your reasons for considering a move, your current approval, the children you are caring for and the support you need. The agency should explain its transfer procedure and identify any issues that may affect the timing or suitability of the move.

This is also an opportunity to ask practical questions about supervision, training, out-of-hours arrangements, support groups, fees or allowances, expectations for record keeping, and how the agency works with local authorities. You should understand who would supervise you and what would happen to any existing placement before you decide whether to proceed.

2. The new agency carries out checks and a review

A new agency cannot rely only on the fact that you have already been approved elsewhere. It needs enough information to make its own safeguarding and suitability decision. Its review may cover:

• your current approval terms, such as the age range, number of children and types of placements approved;
• your household circumstances, accommodation and ability to meet fostering responsibilities;
• your previous assessments, annual reviews, training record and development needs;
• the progress and stability of current or previous placements;
• any complaints, allegations, investigations or safeguarding matters that need to be understood; and
• relevant health, identity and criminal-record information, where checks need to be confirmed or updated.

The agency may ask you to provide documents or complete forms, and it may contact professionals involved in your fostering. Existing checks and assessments can be considered, but they do not necessarily remove the need for further enquiries. This is not intended to make you repeat every part of your original application unnecessarily; it allows the new agency to understand your circumstances and meet its own legal responsibilities.

3. The agencies agree how the transfer will be managed

Once you have decided to proceed, the agencies normally communicate with one another about the proposed transfer. A transfer meeting may be arranged with you, representatives of both agencies and, where appropriate, the local authority or social workers responsible for a child in placement.

The purpose of this meeting is to identify risks, outstanding actions and the date on which responsibility will move. It can cover supervision arrangements, training, delegated authority, important contacts, household support and any upcoming reviews or meetings. If there is a current placement, the plan should also address the child’s routines, education, health appointments, family contact and other arrangements that must not be disrupted.

4. Relevant information is handed over securely

The current agency provides the information the new agency reasonably needs to assess and support you. This can include your assessment, approval decision, review records, training history, placement information, safer-care documents and records of significant events. Information about a foster child is handled carefully because it contains personal and safeguarding details.

Information should be shared through secure processes and only with people who have a legitimate role in the transfer or ongoing care. You should be told what information is needed, why it is being shared and whether any further consent or documentation is required. Records should be accurate, and you should raise any factual error or important omission with the relevant agency.

5. Your approval and support arrangements are considered

The new agency decides whether it can approve and support you, and whether your existing approval terms remain appropriate. It may recommend that terms are continued, changed or clarified in light of your current circumstances and the needs you are able to meet. The decision-making route depends on the details of the transfer and the agency’s procedures; further assessment or consideration by a fostering panel may be needed in some cases.

You should receive clear information about the outcome, the approval terms that apply and any actions required before the transfer is completed. Ask for an explanation if the new agency proposes a significant change to the type of fostering you can undertake.

6. Responsibility moves on an agreed date

Until the transfer is formally completed, the current agency remains responsible for the arrangements it has agreed with you and the placing authority. The new agency should not assume responsibility prematurely. On the agreed date, supervision, support, recording requirements and contact arrangements move to the new agency, subject to the relevant notifications and documentation being completed.

For a child already living with you, the move between agencies should not by itself end the placement. The local authority, child’s social worker and both agencies should consider whether the arrangement continues to meet the child’s needs and how the handover will be explained and managed.

7. Follow-up continues after the transfer

After the move, the new supervising social worker should confirm the support plan, reporting arrangements, training needs and any outstanding actions. You may need to become familiar with new recording systems, policies, contacts and safeguarding procedures. Keep copies of important documents and make sure you know who to contact about supervision, a placement concern, a change in household circumstances or an allegation.

A transfer can take longer where records are incomplete, checks need updating, there is an active investigation, a placement is unstable or the agencies and local authority need to resolve a safeguarding issue. A transfer must not be used to avoid an investigation or obscure information relevant to a child’s welfare. If difficulties arise, ask both agencies to confirm the position in writing and seek independent advice where necessary.

Before agreeing to the move, ask for a written timetable, confirmation of the proposed approval terms, details of who will supervise you, and an explanation of how any current foster child will be supported. These points give you a clearer understanding of what will happen and help prevent gaps in responsibility during the transfer.