How are foster carers matched with children and young people?

A foster placement is matched through a structured assessment of whether a particular home can meet a particular child’s assessed needs. The decision is based on the child’s care plan, the foster carer’s approval, the information available about the placement and the views of everyone involved. It is not simply a matter of matching a child’s age with a carer’s preference.

The child’s needs come first. Before a placement is proposed, the fostering team considers the child’s day-to-day care requirements and any risks that need to be managed. This may include emotional or behavioural needs, medical conditions, disabilities, experiences of trauma, education, family contact and cultural or religious identity. The child’s relationships with brothers and sisters are also considered, particularly where siblings need to remain together.

The child’s wishes and feelings are taken into account in a way that reflects their age and understanding. For an older child or young person, this may include their views about where they live, school travel, pets, household routines and contact with family members. A child may not make the final decision, but their perspective forms an important part of responsible placement planning.

The carer’s approval provides the framework for a match. Foster carers are approved for specific types of fostering and may have agreed limits relating to the number, age or circumstances of children they can care for. The matching process checks that the proposed placement falls within those terms. It also looks at the carer’s relevant experience, training, parenting approach and ability to manage the care plan safely.

Practical details about the household are assessed as part of this process. These can include:

• the ages and needs of children already living in the home;
• the household’s routines, relationships and available space;
• school and transport arrangements;
• pets and any associated safety considerations;
• the carer’s work, family and other commitments;
• the location of important services and family contact; and
• the support available to the carer from their household and wider network.

Location can be especially important where a child needs to stay at their existing school, maintain links with relatives or attend regular health and specialist appointments. A placement that appears suitable in other respects may not be appropriate if travel arrangements would disrupt the child’s education, contact or access to essential services.

Information is shared before a placement is agreed. The fostering team gathers relevant information from the child’s social worker and other professionals, then considers how the proposed arrangement would work in practice. Foster carers should be given information about the child’s known needs, routines, history, risks, contact arrangements and the support plan. Information may be incomplete, particularly when a child needs to move quickly, but significant known issues should be discussed as clearly as possible.

Where a possible match is identified, the carer has an opportunity to ask questions and consider whether they can provide the required care. The child’s social worker, the fostering team and the carer discuss the proposed arrangements, including introductions, education, health appointments, family time and safety boundaries. For planned placements, introductions may be arranged so that the child and carer can begin to become familiar with one another before the move. The length and nature of introductions depend on the circumstances and the urgency of the placement.

Foster carers are not expected to accept every referral. They should consider whether they have the skills, capacity and household circumstances to meet the child’s needs safely. Saying that a particular placement is not suitable is part of responsible matching; it does not mean a carer is unwilling to foster. A decision should be based on the information available and discussed openly with the supervising social worker or fostering team.

Some placements are arranged with very little notice because a child needs somewhere safe immediately. In these situations, there may be less time for introductions and some information may be developed after the child arrives. The matching decision still needs to consider known risks, the carer’s approval and the safety of everyone in the household. Further assessments and planning should then take place as more is learned about the child.

Matching does not end when the child moves in. The placement is reviewed as the child’s needs become clearer and circumstances change. Foster carers contribute observations about routines, behaviour, health, education and relationships, while social workers review whether the care plan remains appropriate. If the placement requires additional help, the support plan may be adjusted through further training, professional input, practical assistance or changes to arrangements.

The aim is not to find a supposedly perfect household, but to make a well-informed decision about whether the placement can provide safe, consistent and suitable care. Open communication, accurate information and a willingness to review the arrangement are essential to achieving a stable placement for the child and the foster family.