What is a disruption meeting after a foster placement ends?

A disruption meeting brings the relevant professionals and foster carers together to examine a placement breakdown in a structured way. It is normally arranged where a placement ends earlier than planned, particularly when there have been serious difficulties, safeguarding concerns, allegations or a significant impact on the child or household.

The purpose is to establish a clear account of the placement, understand the factors that led to its ending and agree what should happen next. It is not intended to assign blame or act as a disciplinary meeting. The discussion should be balanced, giving proper consideration to the child’s experience as well as the foster carers’ perspective and the information held by the professionals involved.

Who usually attends?

Attendance depends on the circumstances and local arrangements, but a meeting may include:

• the foster carers;
• the supervising social worker or another representative from the fostering service;
• the child’s social worker and, where appropriate, a team manager;
• professionals involved in safeguarding, education, health or therapeutic support;
• an independent chair or reviewing professional, where appropriate; and
• an advocate or support person if this has been agreed in advance.

The child’s views should be obtained in a way that is suitable for their age, understanding and circumstances. A child may not attend the meeting itself, particularly if the discussion includes sensitive adult information, but their wishes, feelings and understanding of what happened should not be overlooked.

What is discussed?

The meeting usually considers the placement from referral through to ending, including:

• the child’s needs, history and behaviour when the placement began;
• the expectations agreed with the foster carers and professionals;
• how the child settled and how relationships developed;
• changes in the child’s circumstances or support needs;
• events, incidents or concerns that contributed to the placement ending;
• the involvement and decisions of the professionals supporting the placement;
• the effect of the ending on the child, foster carers and other household members;
• any safeguarding issues, allegations or complaints, dealt with through the appropriate separate procedures where necessary; and
• whether the transition and sharing of information could have been managed differently.

A disruption meeting should distinguish between confirmed information, professional opinion and differing accounts. If an allegation or safeguarding concern is being investigated, the meeting should not replace that investigation or prejudge its outcome. Relevant information may need to be restricted or discussed separately to protect confidentiality and ensure a fair process.

How should foster carers prepare?

Foster carers can prepare by making a factual timeline of important events, recording the support they requested and received, and noting any recommendations or agreements that were made during the placement. It can also help to gather relevant records, such as supervision notes, emails, daily recordings and incident reports, in line with the fostering service’s guidance.

Before the meeting, carers should ask:

• what the meeting is intended to cover;
• who will attend and whether they may bring a representative or support person;
• whether they need to provide written information beforehand;
• how the child’s views will be represented;
• which matters will be handled under separate complaints, safeguarding or investigation procedures; and
• how the meeting’s conclusions and actions will be recorded.

It is appropriate to explain the practical and emotional effect of the placement ending, including any impact on birth children, other looked-after children or relationships within the household. Foster carers should be honest about what they found difficult, while avoiding speculation about matters they cannot know. The aim is to provide a reliable account that can inform future decisions and support.

What happens after the meeting?

A written record should normally set out the key information considered, areas of agreement or disagreement, learning points and any actions. Actions may include further support or training for the foster carers, therapeutic or practical support for the child, changes to matching or introductions, improvements to communication, or a review of the support plan for a future placement.

The meeting may identify that a foster carer needs time before considering another placement. It may also show that additional information, training or support is needed before a new match is considered. These discussions should be separate from any formal decision about a carer’s approval. A disruption meeting does not automatically end approval or determine whether someone can foster again; any change to approval is handled through the relevant review and decision-making process.

Foster carers should receive information about the agreed actions and know who is responsible for taking them forward. If the record does not accurately reflect their account, they should raise this with their supervising social worker or the meeting chair and ask for their disagreement to be noted. They can also use the fostering service’s complaints procedure if they believe the process was not handled properly.

A well-managed meeting provides a fuller understanding of why the placement ended and turns that understanding into practical learning. It should leave clear next steps for the child, the foster carers and the professionals involved, while recognising that any ongoing investigation, review or support plan may continue separately.