What happens if a foster placement is not suitable?

If a foster placement is not suitable, the fostering service works with the foster carer, the child’s social worker and other relevant professionals to decide what needs to change and whether the placement can safely continue. The child’s welfare remains the central consideration, while the foster carer’s circumstances, skills and support needs are also assessed.

A placement may prove unsuitable for several reasons. The child’s needs may be more complex than initially understood, relationships within the household may be under significant strain, or the placement may not provide the right environment for the child’s behaviour, health, identity or contact arrangements. Sometimes difficulties arise because important information was unavailable or because circumstances change after the child moves in. This does not necessarily mean that the foster carer has done anything wrong.

The first step is usually to raise concerns with the supervising social worker and the child’s social worker. Depending on the issue, the fostering service may arrange additional visits, practical guidance, training, therapeutic input or a professionals’ meeting. The team will consider:

• what is causing the difficulty and when it occurs;
• the child’s immediate and longer-term needs;
• any risks to the child, the foster carer or other household members;
• whether the placement plan, routines, boundaries or contact arrangements need reviewing;
• what additional support or resources could make the placement safe and workable; and
• whether the foster carer’s approval, experience and available support remain appropriate.

Where it is safe to do so, the professionals may agree a written plan with clear actions and review points. This might include more frequent supervision, help with managing behaviour, changes to contact arrangements, a revised daily routine or support for other children in the household. The child should be included in decisions in an age-appropriate way, and their views should be considered alongside the information from carers and professionals.

Some placements can be stabilised with the right changes. In other cases, continuing would not be in the child’s best interests or would place unreasonable pressure on the household. A placement should not be ended informally or without discussion, except where there is an immediate danger requiring urgent action. The fostering service and the child’s social care team normally coordinate the next steps, including a safe transition to another placement or an alternative arrangement.

If there is an immediate safeguarding concern, the foster carer should follow the emergency and safeguarding instructions provided by the fostering service and contact the appropriate children’s social care or emergency service. A serious incident, allegation or concern about harm is managed through the relevant safeguarding and recording procedures. It should not be treated simply as an ordinary matching difficulty.

When a placement ends, planning should cover the child’s move, belongings, medication, education, health information, important relationships and any arrangements for contact. The professionals should also explain what information can be shared with the foster carer and how the ending will be discussed with the child. A planned move is generally easier to manage than an unplanned disruption, but the child’s safety can require decisions to be made quickly.

The foster carer should receive a review after the placement ends. This is an opportunity to discuss what happened, record learning, consider whether further training or support is needed and review future matching decisions. The fostering service may look at whether particular ages, needs or circumstances are appropriate for the carer in future. A difficult placement does not automatically prevent someone from continuing to foster; decisions are based on the circumstances, the carer’s response to concerns and the assessment of future suitability.

Before accepting a placement, prospective foster carers can reduce the likelihood of an unsuitable match by asking for clear information about the child’s history, needs, behaviour, health, education, contact arrangements and known risks. They should also discuss how the placement could affect everyone in their household and whether the proposed support is sufficient. Foster carers are entitled to ask questions and to explain honestly when they do not believe they can safely meet a child’s needs. Saying that a proposed match is not right is part of responsible fostering, not a refusal to help.