What happens after you are approved to foster?

After you are approved to foster, you move from assessment into the practical responsibilities of fostering. You will formalise your relationship with the fostering service, work within your approved terms, consider potential placements, and follow the child’s care plan once a placement begins. Approval is not a one-off event: foster carers remain part of a regulated process involving supervision, reviews, records, training and safeguarding responsibilities.

Your approval terms are confirmed. Your approval decision will set out the type of fostering you are approved to provide. This may include the age range, number of children, whether you can care for children with particular needs, and any other conditions relevant to your household. These terms guide which placements can be considered. You should not accept a placement that falls outside them unless the required approval change has been made through the appropriate process.

You will also enter into a written fostering agreement with your fostering service. This explains the responsibilities of both parties, including safe caring expectations, confidentiality, record keeping, supervision, notification of significant events and the procedures to follow if difficulties arise. Read this carefully and ask for an explanation of anything unclear before a child is placed with you.

Information is shared before a placement is agreed. When a child or young person may be suitable for your household, you should receive information about their needs and circumstances. This can include their health, education, family relationships, behaviour, routines, previous experiences and any risks identified by the placing authority. The information available at this stage may not be complete, so ask specific questions about anything that could affect your ability to care safely and consistently.

A placement should be considered against more than the child’s age. Relevant factors include the child’s identity, culture, religion, language, relationships with brothers and sisters, schooling, contact arrangements and the needs of everyone already living in your home. You can discuss a proposed placement with your supervising social worker and should raise concerns before agreeing to it. A decision should take account of both the child’s needs and your approved capacity.

Each placement has its own plan and expectations. Once a child is placed, the care plan and placement plan provide the framework for day-to-day care. They should clarify the child’s routines, health and education arrangements, contact with family members, agreed boundaries, transport, appointments and the decisions you are authorised to make. The level of authority delegated to you can vary, so check before making decisions about activities, travel, medical treatment, photographs, social media or changes to routine.

Foster carers are expected to keep accurate records about the child’s care. Records may cover daily events, appointments, school matters, contact sessions, accidents, incidents, important conversations and the child’s progress. Entries should be factual, dated and written promptly. Your fostering service will explain how records are stored and who can access them. Confidential information must be handled carefully and should not be discussed or shared through personal social media.

Supervision continues throughout your fostering career. Your supervising social worker will help you reflect on the placement, consider what is working, identify concerns and agree practical actions. Supervision is also a suitable time to discuss your household, relationships, health, support network and any changes that could affect fostering. Tell the fostering service about significant changes rather than assuming they are unrelated to your approval.

Your approval is reviewed through the fostering service’s review process. Reviews consider your practice, the progress and needs of children placed with you, training completed, feedback from relevant professionals and any concerns or significant events. The review may confirm your approval or identify recommendations, changes to your terms or further development needs. A review can also be needed if your circumstances change substantially or if a concern requires formal consideration.

Safeguarding remains a central responsibility after approval. You must follow the service’s procedures for allegations, complaints, accidents, missing episodes, injuries, serious incidents and concerns about a child’s welfare. Contact the appropriate member of the fostering team promptly when an event requires notification. Do not investigate an allegation yourself or promise a child that information will remain secret; record what has been said and follow the instructions provided by the service.

You will continue to receive access to guidance and development relevant to the children in your care. This may include learning about attachment, trauma, therapeutic approaches, safer caring, first aid, education, health or supporting contact with birth family. Your supervising social worker can help identify which development is relevant to a particular placement and how to apply it in practice.

Financial arrangements are linked to the fostering agreement and the placement being provided. The fostering service should explain the applicable allowance, any additional payments or expenses, how payments are administered and which costs need prior agreement. Keep receipts and records where required, and ask before committing to an expense that may not be covered. Payments and tax treatment can change, so use current information from your fostering service and HM Revenue & Customs where appropriate.

A placement may end because the child returns home, moves to another permanent arrangement, reaches a planned transition point or because the arrangement can no longer meet the child’s needs. The fostering service should involve you in planning the transition and explain what records, belongings, contact arrangements and follow-up actions are required. If a placement is becoming difficult, seek help early rather than waiting for the situation to become unsafe.

In practical terms, approval gives you the formal status to foster, but it also begins an ongoing professional role. The key steps are to understand your approval terms, assess proposed placements carefully, follow each child’s plan, maintain clear records, communicate concerns promptly and take part in supervision and reviews.