What is the notice period for ending a foster placement?

The notice period is normally determined by the fostering service’s procedures, the placement agreement and the circumstances of the child. It is not usually a standard period that applies to every placement. The agreed arrangements should explain how a planned ending is requested, who must be informed and how decisions are made.

When a foster carer is considering ending a placement

A foster carer should speak to their supervising social worker as soon as they believe the placement may no longer be sustainable. They should not give notice directly to the child or arrange for the child to leave without agreement from the fostering service and the child’s placing local authority. The supervising social worker can help establish whether additional support, a change to the plan or a short-term arrangement could safely prevent the placement from ending.

If ending the placement remains the right decision, the fostering service and local authority will discuss the proposed timescale. This should take account of:

• the child’s safety, welfare and level of need;
• the reason the placement is ending;
• the stability of any other children in the household;
• the availability of a suitable alternative placement;
• the child’s views, wishes and understanding, where appropriate;
• schooling, health appointments, family time and other existing arrangements; and
• the practical arrangements for moving the child’s belongings, records and medication.

What happens during a planned ending?

A planned ending should involve clear communication between the foster carer, fostering service, placing authority and the child’s social worker. The child may also have an independent reviewing officer, advocate or other professionals who need to be involved. The adults responsible for the placement should agree what will be explained to the child, when it will be explained and how they will be supported to understand the decision.

Depending on the circumstances, professionals may arrange a review or disruption meeting. This is used to examine what happened during the placement, identify the reasons it could not continue and consider what information should be passed to the next carers. It is not simply an administrative step: it can help reduce the risk of the same difficulties occurring in a future placement.

Where it is safe and appropriate, the child may have time to say goodbye to the foster family, friends, school or important people in the community. A transition plan may include visits to the next home, introductions to new carers, information about routines and preferences, and arrangements for keeping in touch. The right plan depends on the child’s age, relationships, emotional needs and care plan.

When a placement needs to end urgently

There may be occasions when waiting for a planned notice period would not be safe. Examples could include a serious safeguarding concern, a significant breakdown in the household or a situation in which the child or another person is at immediate risk. In these circumstances, the fostering service and local authority must decide what protective action is needed. The priority is safe care and an appropriate alternative arrangement, followed by clear communication and recording of the decision.

An urgent move does not remove the need to consider the child’s emotional wellbeing. Once immediate safety has been addressed, professionals should explain what has happened in an age-appropriate way, identify people who can support the child and make sure essential belongings, medication and information accompany them where possible.

Who makes the decision?

The foster carer can raise concerns and request that a placement is reviewed, but the decision to end a placement is not normally made by the carer alone. The fostering service, the child’s social worker and the placing local authority have responsibilities to assess the situation and agree the next steps. The child’s care plan, legal status and safeguarding needs will influence the decision.

A carer’s wish to end one placement is separate from a decision to end their approval to foster. If a carer is finding fostering difficult more generally, they should discuss this with their supervising social worker. The service can explain the relevant process, including any implications for other placements and the foster carer’s fostering agreement.

What foster carers should check

Foster carers should read the placement agreement and ask their supervising social worker to explain any notice arrangements they do not understand. Useful questions include:

• Who must be notified if the placement is no longer workable?
• What notice process applies to this particular placement?
• What circumstances would require an immediate safeguarding response?
• Who will speak to the child and other household members?
• How will education, health care, contact and transport arrangements be managed?
• What information should be recorded before and after the move?
• Will there be a review or disruption meeting, and who will attend?
• What support will be available to the foster family after the placement ends?

Keep a factual record of significant events, discussions and decisions, following the fostering service’s recording requirements. Records should distinguish observed facts from opinions and should be shared through the proper professional channels. If there is an immediate safeguarding concern, contact the supervising social worker or the service’s designated emergency safeguarding route in line with the instructions provided by the fostering service.

The precise notice arrangements should therefore be confirmed from the documents for the individual placement rather than assumed from another foster carer’s experience. The supervising social worker can explain the agreed process and help ensure that any ending is managed safely, respectfully and with the child’s welfare at the centre.