How are foster carers involved in matching decisions?

Foster carers have a meaningful consultative role in matching, but they do not make the decision alone. The placing local authority, fostering service, the child’s social worker and the prospective foster carer consider whether the proposed arrangement can safely meet the child’s needs. The child’s welfare, wishes and feelings remain central throughout.

Information shared before a decision

For a planned placement, the fostering team should provide the information needed to make an informed assessment. This may include the child’s age, personality, routines, health needs, education, family contact arrangements, legal circumstances, previous experiences and any behaviours that could affect day-to-day care. Information about risks, triggers and known support needs is particularly important because it helps everyone consider how the placement would work in practice.

Information may be incomplete, especially where a child needs to move quickly or is entering care for the first time. In those circumstances, the team should explain what is known, identify unanswered questions and continue gathering information. Foster carers should not be expected to agree to a placement without being told about significant known risks or care requirements.

How foster carers contribute

A supervising social worker or member of the fostering team will discuss the proposed placement with the carer. This is an opportunity to ask practical questions, clarify expectations and consider how the child’s needs would fit with the household’s routines. Topics may include:

• how the child’s daily care, appointments and education could be managed;
• how contact with parents, brothers and sisters or other important people would take place;
• whether the household has the space, equipment and transport arrangements required;
• how the placement could affect other children or adults in the home;
• whether pets, visitors or activities in the household create any additional considerations; and
• what specialist advice, training or practical support may be needed.

Foster carers are expected to give an honest view of what they can manage. Their role is not to accept every referral. Raising a concern or deciding that a proposed placement is unsuitable is part of responsible fostering, provided the decision is based on the child’s needs and the household’s ability to provide safe care.

Meetings and discussions before placement

Where circumstances allow, there may be a matching discussion or meeting involving the child’s social worker, the fostering service and the foster carer. The child may also contribute in a way that is appropriate to their age and understanding. A child’s preferences cannot always determine the outcome, but they should be listened to and taken seriously.

The discussion should consider both the strengths of the proposed match and any areas requiring a plan. For example, the team may agree how introductions will happen, who will transport the child, how medication or appointments will be managed, and what arrangements will apply for family contact. A safer caring plan may also need to be reviewed so that everyone understands appropriate boundaries and responses to risk.

What foster carers can and cannot decide

Foster carers can provide detailed information about their household, ask for clarification, identify potential difficulties and say whether they believe they can meet the child’s needs. They can also help shape practical arrangements and request advice or additional support before agreeing.

They do not have authority to choose a child on the basis of personal preference, or to reject a placement because of a protected characteristic. Matching must take account of relevant identity and care needs, including culture, religion, language, disability and family relationships, while complying with equality duties and safeguarding requirements.

The final arrangements are agreed by the organisations and people with legal responsibility for the child, rather than by the foster carer acting independently. The exact decision-making process depends on whether the placement is arranged through a local authority or an independent fostering service, and whether it is planned or urgent.

Planned and urgent placements

Planned placements usually allow more time for information sharing, questions, introductions and preparation. An urgent placement may involve less notice, so the initial information may be limited. The same principles still apply: known risks should be shared, the carer’s ability to provide safe care should be considered, and missing information should be followed up.

Once a child arrives, the match is not simply left without review. The foster carer should share observations about how the child is settling, what is working and where difficulties are emerging. The child’s social worker and fostering team can then review the arrangements and consider whether further support, changes to the care plan or additional resources are needed.

Good matching is therefore a two-way assessment. The professionals consider the child’s needs and legal plan, while the foster carer contributes practical knowledge of the household and a realistic understanding of what can be provided. Open questions, accurate information and honest discussion before placement give the child and carer the best basis for a safe and suitable arrangement.