Can foster carers take holidays with children in placement?

Foster children may be able to go on holiday with their foster carers, but each trip must be considered individually. The decision is based on the child’s care plan, legal status, relationships with family, health and wellbeing, and the risks associated with the proposed destination and activities.

Why approval is needed

A child in foster care cannot always travel in the same way as a child living with their birth family. The local authority may share parental responsibility with the child’s parents, or there may be court orders and safeguarding arrangements that affect travel. The fostering service and the child’s social worker need enough information to confirm that the trip is consistent with the child’s plans and does not interfere with important arrangements.

Approval may need to cover:

• the destination and accommodation;
• the dates and length of the holiday;
• who will be travelling and who will supervise the child;
• how the child will travel, including flights, ferries or long car journeys;
• planned activities, particularly water sports, skiing or other higher-risk activities;
• contact with parents, siblings or other significant people;
• any medical, behavioural, communication or accessibility needs; and
• arrangements for emergencies or an early return.

Do not make non-refundable bookings until the required checks and permissions have been completed. Verbal agreement may not be enough, particularly for travel outside the UK, so ask what written confirmation is required and keep it with the child’s travel documents.

Taking a foster child abroad

Overseas travel usually requires more detailed preparation. Depending on the child’s circumstances, you may need a valid passport or other travel document, written consent, evidence of authority to travel and suitable travel insurance. A child may not have the documents needed for international travel, and obtaining them can take time. The child’s social worker or fostering service should explain which applications and permissions apply to that child.

Some legal restrictions can prevent a child from leaving the UK or travelling to a particular country. Immigration arrangements, court directions, safeguarding concerns or the possibility of abduction may all be relevant. Never assume that a trip is permitted because another child in the household can travel without additional checks.

Planning around contact and routines

Holidays should be planned around the child’s existing contact arrangements wherever possible. Missing or changing contact can be upsetting and may conflict with the care plan, so discuss alternative arrangements before making bookings. A familiar routine can also help a child manage the change. Share a simple plan with them, including where they will stay, who will be present, how they will travel and what will happen each day.

Children in care may respond differently to unfamiliar places, busy environments or changes in routine. Consider whether the proposed trip is suitable for the child’s age, experiences and current emotional state. A shorter or more familiar break may be more appropriate than a complex journey. Give the child an opportunity to express their views and take those views seriously, while recognising that the final decision must be based on safety and the wider care plan.

Practical preparation

Before travelling, make sure you have the information and equipment needed to care for the child safely. This may include medication and instructions, health details, emergency contacts, preferred food, sensory aids, comfort items, clothing and copies of relevant documents. Check how prescriptions can be managed at the destination and who should be contacted if the child becomes unwell.

Agree how spending money, mobile phone use, photographs and social media will be managed. Do not share identifying information or images of a child in care without following the relevant permissions and privacy arrangements. If other adults will supervise the child, clarify their role and make sure they understand the child’s needs and the boundaries set by the fostering service.

Ask about insurance, particularly whether the fostering service provides any cover or requires you to arrange additional protection. You should also establish who pays for approved costs and how receipts or claims should be handled. Holiday expenses are not automatically dealt with in the same way as ordinary household costs, so discuss them before committing to the trip.

Support during the holiday

Take the fostering service’s contact details and the agreed emergency plan with you. The plan should explain what to do if the child goes missing, needs urgent medical attention, has a safeguarding concern or cannot return as expected. If the holiday involves another country, check how to contact local emergency services and any relevant consular support.

If a trip is not suitable, that does not mean the child must be excluded from all enjoyable activities. The fostering service may help you consider a different destination, a shorter break, day trips or another arrangement that fits the child’s needs and legal requirements. The key is to raise plans early, involve the child appropriately and obtain clear advice before making arrangements.