Can I request a different foster carer support worker?

Requesting a different foster carer support worker is possible, but a change is considered on an individual basis rather than being automatic. The fostering service will look at the nature of the concern, the effect on communication and the arrangements needed to provide consistent support to your household and the child or children placed with you.

You may wish to make a request if the working relationship has broken down, you are finding it difficult to communicate openly, or you believe the support you are receiving does not meet the needs of your fostering role. Other reasons might include a perceived conflict of interest, concerns about professional boundaries, a significant change in your circumstances, or a need for particular experience that is relevant to a placement. You do not need to wait until the situation becomes serious before raising a concern.

Start by explaining your concerns clearly to your supervising team. Give specific examples where possible, including what happened, how it affected you or the placement, and what you believe would improve the situation. Keeping the discussion focused on practical issues can help the service understand whether the difficulty could be addressed through clearer communication, agreed expectations, additional supervision or a different allocation.

The service may discuss the matter with you and, where appropriate, the support worker concerned. You should be given an opportunity to explain your perspective before a decision is made. The service will also need to consider:

• the safety, welfare and stability of the child or children placed with you;
• the information and support required for the current placement;
• continuity of relationships and important work already under way;
• the availability of a suitably experienced worker within the team; and
• how records, meetings, visits and other responsibilities would be transferred.

A change may be agreed if it is judged to be in the best interests of the fostering household and the child. In other cases, the service may suggest a written plan to improve the existing working relationship. This could include setting out who to contact, how information will be shared, the purpose of supervision meetings and how disagreements will be handled. Asking for a different worker does not mean that you have failed as a foster carer; it is important that professional concerns are raised appropriately so they can be dealt with.

If your concern involves safeguarding, inappropriate conduct, confidentiality or a breach of professional boundaries, raise it promptly with the supervising manager or another senior member of the fostering team. If you do not feel able to raise it with your usual contact, ask the service which alternative manager or formal reporting route you should use. Keep factual notes of relevant conversations and retain copies of any written concerns.

If you are unhappy with the outcome, ask for the decision and the reasons for it to be confirmed in writing. You can then use the fostering service’s complaints procedure if the issue has not been resolved. A complaint should explain what happened, the effect on you or the child, the steps already taken and the outcome you are seeking. Continue to follow agreed placement and safeguarding arrangements while the matter is being reviewed, unless a senior professional instructs you otherwise.

Any handover should protect confidentiality and avoid unnecessary disruption for the child. The incoming worker should have the relevant information about the placement, meetings, outstanding actions and support plan, while you should know who is responsible for each matter during the transition. The aim is to establish a suitable professional relationship in which you can discuss concerns honestly and receive clear guidance about your responsibilities.