Can foster carers meet a child before agreeing to a placement?
Yes, foster carers may sometimes meet a child before agreeing to a placement, if this is appropriate and safe for the child. The introduction is arranged as part of the matching process, but urgent placements or the child’s circumstances may mean a meeting cannot take place beforehand.
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A pre-placement meeting is a planned introduction between a child and prospective foster carers, arranged when it is in the child’s interests and there is enough information to make the meeting appropriate. It forms part of the wider matching and decision-making process, rather than replacing the formal checks and discussions needed before a placement begins.
Before an introduction is arranged, the social workers and fostering team consider the child’s circumstances, wishes, understanding and emotional readiness. They also consider whether meeting a prospective carer could help the child feel informed and involved, or whether it could create additional uncertainty. The child’s age, communication needs and previous experiences will influence how the introduction is planned.
Where a meeting is suitable, the foster carer will usually receive relevant information about the child beforehand. This may cover:
- the child’s current circumstances and why foster care is being considered;
- their routines, interests, relationships and daily needs;
- any health, educational, behavioural or communication information that is relevant to caring for them;
- important family, cultural, religious or identity considerations;
- known triggers, concerns or areas where the child may need additional support; and
- practical details about contact arrangements, schooling and transport where these are relevant.
The information shared must be balanced with the child’s right to privacy. Foster carers should receive enough detail to make a responsible decision and prepare their household, but they will not necessarily be given every detail of the child’s history at an initial stage. Further information may be shared as the assessment and placement planning progresses.
The introduction itself should be structured around the child’s needs. It might involve meeting in a familiar setting, having a conversation supported by social workers, or taking part in a short activity that reflects the child’s age and interests. The adults involved should avoid presenting the meeting as an interview or asking the child to make an immediate commitment. The aim is to help both sides gain a realistic understanding of one another in a safe, age-appropriate way.
Foster carers can use the meeting to ask practical questions, including:
- What does the child’s usual day look like?
- What helps them feel safe and settled?
- How should adults respond when they are upset or overwhelmed?
- What contact with parents, siblings or other important people is planned?
- Are there arrangements needed for school, health appointments, medication, hobbies or transport?
- What support and advice will be available if the placement goes ahead?
Questions should be respectful and focused on caring for the child. A foster carer should not ask for unnecessary personal details, criticise the child’s family or make promises about what will happen. The child may also have questions about the foster home, household members, pets, routines and what life might look like. Foster carers should answer honestly and avoid giving assurances they cannot keep.
After the introduction, the social workers and fostering team consider the views of everyone involved. The child’s feelings and behaviour are important, but a child may not be able to express a clear view immediately. Likewise, a foster carer may need time to think about the information provided and discuss the possible impact on their household. A meeting that feels positive is not an automatic agreement, and uncertainty does not necessarily mean the match cannot work.
Foster carers should tell their supervising social worker promptly if they have concerns about the child’s needs, the information available or the effect of the proposed placement on their family. It is better to raise questions before agreeing than to accept a placement without understanding the practical arrangements. The final decision should be based on whether the proposed home can safely meet the child’s needs, with suitable plans for support, contact and day-to-day care.
If a meeting cannot take place before the placement, foster carers should still be given as much relevant information as possible and an opportunity to discuss the proposed arrangements with the professionals involved. Once a placement begins, introductions and settling-in support may continue in a way that reflects the child’s pace, relationships and changing needs.
A meeting before a placement is an opportunity to check practical compatibility, not a test of whether the child and foster carer form an instant bond. The child may be quiet, wary or unsettled, particularly if they have experienced recent changes. Foster carers should focus on whether they can provide the care described and adapt their household routines to the child’s needs.
It can be helpful to consider how the child responds to the home’s arrangements, including household members, pets, privacy, school travel and daily routines. Any uncertainty should be discussed with the social workers before a decision is made. The introduction is one part of the evidence considered when deciding whether the proposed placement is suitable; it does not require the child or foster carer to give an immediate yes.
Ask About Meeting a Child Before Agreeing to a Placement
If you are considering fostering, speak to our fostering team about how introductions and placement decisions are handled before you apply. They can help you understand the process and discuss any questions about meeting a child.