What information will I receive before a foster child is placed with me?

Before a placement is agreed, you should receive enough relevant information to make an informed decision about whether you and the child are a suitable match. This information is normally gathered from the child’s social worker, local authority records, previous carers, education and health professionals, and anyone else involved in the child’s care.

The information may be provided in stages. An initial referral might contain a brief profile, followed by more detailed records and a discussion with the social worker. You should be told which facts are confirmed, which are based on reports from others, and where there are gaps in the available history. Information can sometimes change as professionals learn more about a child, so it is appropriate to ask whether the details you have been given are current.

Depending on the circumstances, the information may cover:

• the child’s age, identity, family background and significant relationships;
• why the child has entered care and what decisions are being made about their future;
• important experiences, losses, trauma or changes that may affect how the child behaves or responds to adults;
• their communication style, emotional needs, strengths, interests and ways of expressing distress;
• relationships with parents, brothers, sisters and other important people, including arrangements for contact;
• any cultural, religious, linguistic or identity needs that should be respected in your household;
• personal care, medication, allergies, dietary requirements and relevant appointments;
• school arrangements, learning needs, transport and involvement from education professionals;
• behaviours that may require particular supervision, boundaries or risk-management measures; and
• any restrictions, legal directions or professional recommendations affecting day-to-day care.

You should also have an opportunity to discuss what the placement would mean for your household. This can include sleeping arrangements, contact visits, transport, appointments, school runs, use of technology, visits from friends and relatives, pets, and how other children in the home may be affected. The purpose is not to test whether your family is perfect; it is to identify practical issues early and agree safe, realistic arrangements.

Before the child arrives, you may be given or talked through documents such as the placement plan, relevant risk assessments, safer-care arrangements, contact information and details of who holds authority for particular decisions. These records should make clear what you can decide as the foster carer and what must be referred to the child’s social worker, the local authority or another professional. Ask for an explanation of any term or instruction that is unclear.

There may also be a planning conversation or placement meeting involving you, your supervising social worker, the child’s social worker and other appropriate professionals. You can use this meeting to clarify:

• what is expected during the first few days and weeks;
• who to contact about different types of concern;
• how important information will be shared with you;
• how contact with family members will work in practice;
• what records you need to keep; and
• when the arrangements will be reviewed.

Confidentiality applies to information about the child and their family. You should be told what can be shared with people in your household, school staff, health professionals or other authorised individuals, and how sensitive documents should be stored. You must not assume that every detail can be discussed with friends or relatives, even when they are trying to help.

Information is not always complete before a placement begins, particularly when a child needs somewhere to live urgently. If something important is unknown, that should be acknowledged rather than presented as certain. Ask what is being done to find out more, how new information will be passed to you, and what practical safeguards should be used in the meantime.

Most importantly, you should have time to ask questions and raise concerns before agreeing to the placement. Consider whether the information matches your skills, household, space, existing commitments and approval as a foster carer. If you believe a placement may not be suitable, discuss this openly with your fostering service and the child’s social worker. Agreeing only when the known needs can be met safely is an important part of responsible matching.