Can foster carers take holidays with a child?

Foster carers may be able to take a child on holiday, including on a trip abroad, but approval depends on the child’s circumstances, the proposed arrangements and the permissions required. A holiday should be discussed well before booking with your supervising social worker and the child’s social worker, so that everyone can confirm whether it is suitable and what needs to be arranged.

Permission and delegated authority

Foster carers do not usually hold parental responsibility for a child in their care. This means you should not assume that you can make all travel decisions yourself, even if the trip is short or the child has travelled with you before. The child’s care plan, placement plan and delegated authority agreement should explain which everyday decisions you can make and which require further consent.

For travel outside the UK, formal permission may be needed from people with parental responsibility, the child’s local authority or the court. The exact process can differ according to the child’s legal status and any court orders in place. Obtain confirmation in writing before making non-refundable bookings. Your fostering service can explain who must give permission and what documents will be needed.

Assessing whether the holiday is appropriate

The proposed destination and activities should be considered alongside the child’s age, development, health, history and current emotional needs. A busy overseas trip, long journey or unfamiliar accommodation may be unsuitable for a child who is settling into a new placement, managing significant anxiety or dealing with recent changes in family contact. A shorter or more familiar break may be more appropriate.

The child’s views should be taken into account in an age-appropriate way. They may feel excited about travelling, but they may also worry about leaving familiar people, missing contact with relatives or sharing accommodation. Involving them in suitable decisions, such as choosing activities or preparing a packing list, can help them understand what will happen without placing responsibility for the decision on them.

Plan the practical arrangements

Before travelling, agree a clear plan covering:

• the dates, destination, accommodation and travel route;
• who will be travelling and who will be responsible for the child;
• arrangements for medicines, allergies, medical treatment and emergency care;
• the child’s passport, birth certificate, visa and any consent letters required;
• travel insurance and how it covers the child’s particular needs;
• contact details for the fostering service, social workers and emergency support;
• arrangements for family time, telephone calls or video contact during the trip;
• how private information about the child will be protected; and
• what will happen if the child becomes unwell, distressed or needs to return early.

Keep essential documents secure and take copies where advised. Check entry requirements for every country on the route, including countries where you are changing flights. A child in foster care may not have the same surname as the adults travelling with them, so additional evidence of consent or the placement arrangements may be requested by carriers or border officials.

Safeguarding while away

Normal fostering responsibilities continue during a holiday. Children should be supervised in line with their age, abilities and risk assessment, particularly around water, roads, balconies, animals and unfamiliar adults. If other people are joining the holiday, discuss their role and any safeguarding considerations in advance. Do not share photographs, names, locations or personal details about the child publicly without checking what the child’s care plan and fostering service allow.

Accommodation should provide suitable sleeping arrangements and privacy. If the child will share a room, use of shared facilities or spend time with extended family or friends, include these details in the plan. Consider how the child’s behaviour, communication needs, disability, dietary requirements or sensory needs may affect the choice of accommodation and activities.

Keeping routines and relationships in mind

Some children cope better when familiar routines continue. Take comfort items, planned meals, regular medication and clear information about each day. Build in breaks rather than filling every day with activities, and explain changes to plans as early as possible. If the child has important family contact, agree how it will be maintained or rearranged. A holiday should not unintentionally prevent contact that has been ordered or included in the care plan.

It is also important to consider whether the child might feel excluded if the trip is designed mainly around the foster family’s preferences. Activities should be safe, manageable and suitable for the child, while still allowing the whole household to enjoy the break. Your supervising social worker can help you think through these issues before a decision is made.

Costs and support

Ask in advance how approved holiday expenses will be handled. Foster payments and allowances are arranged according to the fostering service’s policy and the child’s individual circumstances, so do not assume that every travel cost will be covered. Discuss transport, accommodation, passports, visas, insurance, activities, equipment and emergency expenses before committing to the trip.

If taking the child on holiday is not appropriate, alternatives may be available. The fostering service may help consider planned respite, a different arrangement with trusted carers or another safe way for the child to spend time with you while you travel. This should be agreed in advance rather than arranged informally.

Do not book a holiday until the fostering service has confirmed the arrangements and any required permissions. Starting the discussion early gives the social workers, the child and relevant family members time to identify concerns, complete paperwork and decide whether the proposed trip supports the child’s welfare.