What should I ask a new fostering agency before transferring?

Before transferring, ask the prospective fostering agency to explain exactly how it would take responsibility for your fostering approval, household, records and any current placement. Request important answers in writing, so you can compare the new agency’s arrangements with your existing fostering agreement and identify any changes before making a decision.

1. What would the transfer process involve in my circumstances?

• Which organisation would contact my current agency, and what information would need to be shared?
• What notices, meetings, forms or approvals are required?
• Would the agency arrange a formal transfer meeting involving me, my current agency and the relevant placing authority?
• Who would be responsible for each stage, and what could delay the transfer?
• What happens if the transfer cannot proceed as planned?

A transfer is not simply a matter of signing a new contract. The agencies and relevant local authorities need to coordinate the change, particularly where a child is already living with you. The new agency should be able to describe the process clearly rather than giving only a general assurance that it will be straightforward.

2. How will you review my current approval?

• Will you accept my existing approval terms, or would you propose changes to the age range, number of children, placement types or other conditions?
• How will you assess whether my household can meet the needs of the children you currently care for?
• Which documents and records would you need from my existing agency?
• Would any missing information, changes in circumstances or previous recommendations need further assessment?
• Who makes the decision about accepting the transfer, and how would that decision be recorded?

Ask the agency to distinguish between checking your existing approval information and carrying out a completely new assessment. If it proposes any change, ask why it is needed and what effect it could have on the placements you are approved to offer.

3. What arrangements would apply to a child already placed with me?

• How would you work with the child’s social worker and placing authority during the transfer?
• Would the child’s care plan, risk information, delegated authority arrangements and placement agreement be reviewed?
• Who would attend meetings about the placement while responsibility is moving between agencies?
• How would you manage a disagreement about whether the placement should continue?
• What would happen if the child’s needs changed before the transfer was complete?

The child’s placing authority remains central to decisions about an existing placement. A new agency should not suggest that transferring automatically changes the child’s care plan or guarantees that a placement will continue. Ask for a clear explanation of who holds decision-making responsibility at each stage.

4. What would my written agreement say?

• Can I read the proposed fostering agreement and key policies before deciding?
• What duties would apply to me, other household members and the agency?
• How are confidentiality, record keeping, allegations and safeguarding concerns dealt with?
• What happens if either side wants to end the arrangement in the future?
• Are there any restrictions on taking placements from particular authorities or on fostering alongside another role?

Do not rely only on an introductory conversation. The written agreement and policies should explain practical responsibilities, decision-making, information sharing and the circumstances in which arrangements may be reviewed.

5. What financial terms should I check?

• What is included in the fostering allowance and what is paid separately?
• Are there deductions, administrative charges or costs that I would be expected to meet?
• How are payments dealt with during planned holidays, respite, gaps between placements or changes in a child’s placement?
• How are equipment, travel, activities, clothing and other agreed expenses authorised and reimbursed?
• Would my financial arrangements change on the date of transfer or only when a new placement begins?

Ask for a written breakdown rather than comparing one headline allowance with another. The total financial arrangement may depend on the child’s needs, the placement type and which costs are included. You may also wish to obtain independent tax advice, as your personal circumstances will affect the position.

6. What training and development would be expected?

• Which training would be recognised from my current agency?
• Would I need to complete induction or refresher training before the transfer?
• How are mandatory subjects, personal development plans and evidence of learning recorded?
• What training is available for the needs of a child already placed with me?
• Who pays for agreed courses, and would attendance affect my fostering responsibilities?

A responsible agency should be able to identify genuine gaps without treating every transferring carer as a new applicant. Ask how it will keep your training record up to date and how it will help you meet any new requirements.

7. Who would provide day-to-day professional support?

• Who would be my supervising social worker, and when would we first meet?
• How often would supervision take place, and what would each session cover?
• Who would I contact if my supervising social worker was unavailable?
• How are supervision notes, placement records and action points shared with me?
• How does the agency involve foster carers in reviews of their support?

Ask how support is organised in practice, not just whether support is available. You should understand who has authority to advise on a placement, how decisions are documented and how concerns are escalated when an issue cannot be resolved at the first point of contact.

8. How will you match and plan future placements?

• How would the agency decide whether a proposed placement is suitable for my approval and household?
• What information would I receive before agreeing to a placement?
• How are risks, contact arrangements, education, health needs and behaviours discussed?
• Can I decline a proposed placement without being treated unfairly?
• How would the agency respond if the information provided before placement proved incomplete?

Good matching requires enough information for you to make an informed decision. Ask what happens when a placement is urgent or when the available information is limited, and make sure you know who is accountable for reviewing risk.

9. What happens to my records and personal information?

• Which records would be transferred, and which would remain with my current agency?
• How would children’s records, household information and historic safeguarding information be protected?
• How can I access records held about my fostering work?
• How long are records retained, and who can request them?
• What should I do if information in the transferred records is inaccurate or incomplete?

This is particularly important where records contain sensitive information about children, birth families and other household members. The agency should explain information sharing in plain language and identify the lawful process for correcting factual errors.

10. How should I compare the answers?

Look for specific, consistent answers supported by documents, named responsibilities and clear explanations of what happens if circumstances change. Be cautious if you are pressured to decide before reading the agreement, if financial terms are unclear, or if the agency avoids explaining how it would protect an existing placement.

Make a written comparison covering approval, current placements, agreements, payments, training, supervision, records and complaints. You can then raise any unresolved points with your current agency, the prospective agency and the child’s placing authority where relevant. Taking independent advice may also be sensible if the transfer involves a dispute, an allegation, a substantial change to approval or uncertainty about a child’s placement.