What happens if my circumstances change during the foster care application?

A change in your circumstances does not automatically end a foster care application. Its effect depends on what has changed, when it happened and whether it affects your ability to provide a safe, stable and suitable home for a child. Your fostering team will review the change as part of the ongoing assessment and explain whether any additional information, checks or preparation are needed.

Relevant changes can include:

• moving home or planning to move;
• starting or ending a relationship, marriage or civil partnership;
• a household member moving in or out;
• a change in employment, working patterns or finances;
• a significant change in physical or mental health;
• a new medical diagnosis, treatment or medication;
• a pregnancy, birth or change in childcare responsibilities;
• a new pet or other change affecting the household;
• a police matter, conviction, caution or other legal issue;
• a change in the support available from relatives, friends or other people; or
• a change to your availability, travel arrangements or ability to attend training and assessment meetings.

Some changes may require the assessment to be updated. For example, moving house could mean that the bedroom arrangements, space, privacy, transport links or safety of the home need to be reconsidered. If a new adult joins your household, they may need to take part in discussions and complete relevant checks. Where a partner or another adult is part of the fostering household, their views, commitment and ability to support fostering will also be considered.

A change in health does not necessarily mean that you cannot foster. The important consideration is how your health affects the practical demands of fostering and whether appropriate support or adjustments are in place. You may be asked for updated medical information, with your consent, so that the agency can make a properly informed assessment. The same principle applies to employment or financial changes: the assessment considers whether fostering remains realistic alongside your responsibilities and household circumstances.

Changes involving a police matter, safeguarding concern or household safety issue should be disclosed fully. This is not about expecting applicants to have unchanging personal circumstances; it is about ensuring that the assessment is based on accurate and current information. Concealing a relevant change can create greater difficulties than reporting it and allowing the agency to assess it properly.

Depending on the circumstances, the fostering agency may:

• update your application records and assessment report;
• ask questions or arrange an additional assessment visit;
• request new or updated documents, references, medical information or statutory checks;
• meet with a new partner or adult household member;
• reconsider the types, ages or numbers of children who would be suitable for your household;
• recommend further training, preparation or support; or
• pause the assessment while the situation becomes clearer.

A pause is not necessarily a refusal. It may give you time to settle into a new home, recover from an illness, resolve a legal matter, arrange childcare or establish that your household can manage the responsibilities of fostering. In some cases, the agency may conclude that you are not currently able to proceed. If that happens, you should be given an explanation and information about whether you can apply again in the future or what would need to change.

It is also important to report positive changes, not only problems. A new source of practical support, improved housing arrangements or a change in work that gives you more time may be relevant to the assessment. Keep your supervising or assessing social worker informed so that the assessment reflects your current circumstances rather than the situation described at the start of your application.

Before notifying the agency, make a note of what has changed, when it happened and how it may affect your household. Share any relevant documents they request and be open about how you plan to manage the change. Your fostering team can then explain the next stage and whether it affects the timing or content of your application.