What happens if a proposed foster placement is not the right match?

If a foster placement is not the right match, the concerns should be reviewed formally and promptly rather than allowing the arrangement to continue without a clear plan. The outcome may be that the placement continues with additional support, or that it ends in a planned way if the child’s needs cannot be met safely and consistently in that household.

A placement can become unsuitable for different reasons. The child’s needs may be more complex than the available information indicated, relationships within the household may be deteriorating, or the arrangements may be affecting other children in the home. A foster carer may also identify that they cannot provide the level of supervision, care or specialist support required. A difficult period does not automatically mean that a placement has failed, but it does require an honest assessment of what is happening.

What happens when concerns arise?

• The foster carer should raise concerns with their supervising social worker and follow the agreed reporting arrangements.
• The child’s social worker, the fostering service and the placing authority should share relevant information and consider the child’s welfare.
• The child’s behaviour, emotional wellbeing, relationships, routines, education and safety should be reviewed alongside the foster carer’s observations.
• The professionals involved should clarify what support, advice or changes to the care plan could address the difficulties.
• A decision should be recorded, including who is responsible for each action and when the arrangement will be reviewed again.

Where the placement can continue, the plan might include more frequent supervision, therapeutic or specialist input, clearer boundaries, changes to contact arrangements, additional training or practical changes at home. The child should be given an appropriate opportunity to express their views, in a way that reflects their age and understanding. Their views are important, although the final decision must also consider safeguarding, the care plan and the responsibilities of the adults involved.

If the risks cannot be managed, or the arrangement is no longer sustainable, the professionals may agree that the child should move to another placement. This should normally be planned carefully, with information shared between the current and future carers and arrangements made for the child’s belongings, education, health needs and important relationships. In an urgent safeguarding situation, the relevant social work team will decide what immediate action is required.

Foster carers should not end a placement by making private arrangements with the child or asking them to leave without professional involvement. Even where everyone accepts that a move is necessary, an unplanned ending can increase uncertainty and distress for the child. The fostering service and placing authority should explain the process, responsibilities and any actions expected from the foster carer.

After a placement ends, the fostering service will usually review what happened with the foster carer. This may include a supervision discussion, a formal review or a disruption meeting, depending on the circumstances and local procedures. The purpose is to understand the reasons for the ending, identify any learning and consider whether further support or training would be useful before another placement is considered.

A proposed or completed placement should not be judged only by whether it lasted. The relevant questions are whether the child was safe, whether their needs were properly understood, whether concerns were acted on and whether decisions were made with suitable professional oversight. Foster carers can ask for a clear explanation of the decision, the support available to them and how the experience will be reflected in future matching discussions.