What happens if my circumstances change during fostering assessment?

A change in your circumstances during a fostering assessment is considered as part of the assessment, rather than treated as a separate application. Your assessing social worker will look at what has changed, how it affects your household and whether any additional information or checks are needed before a recommendation can be made.

Some changes are unlikely to alter the assessment significantly, while others may require a more detailed review. The important factor is whether the change could affect your ability to provide consistent care, manage the demands of fostering or offer a safe home environment.

• Changes to your household: A new partner, separation, a family member moving in or out, or an adult child becoming part of the household may affect who needs to be included in the assessment and which checks are required.
• Health changes: A new diagnosis, treatment, change in mental or physical health, or concerns about your capacity may need to be discussed with your GP or another appropriate health professional. The assessment considers how your health is managed and whether you can meet the practical and emotional demands of fostering; a medical condition is not considered in isolation.
• Employment or financial changes: A new job, reduced hours, redundancy or significant change in income may lead to further discussion about your availability, household arrangements and financial stability. Foster carers should not rely on fostering allowances to resolve existing financial difficulties.
• Moving home: If you change address, the new property may need to be assessed for suitability and safety. The location, space, sleeping arrangements and impact of the move on children in care may all be relevant.
• Legal, police or safeguarding matters: A new conviction, police involvement, social care concern, allegation or other relevant legal matter must be disclosed. Further checks and an assessment of risk may be necessary.
• Pregnancy or changes involving children: Pregnancy, the birth of a child or a change in the needs of a child already living in the household can affect timing, practical capacity and the type of fostering placement that may be appropriate.
• Changes to support: If relatives, friends or other people who were expected to help are no longer available, the safer-care and support plans may need to be revised.

Your assessing social worker may ask for an updated account of the change, speak with other household members, arrange another home visit or request new evidence. Depending on the issue, this could include an updated medical opinion, a new reference, a further DBS or local authority check, proof of address or more information about household finances. The purpose is to make sure the assessment reflects your current circumstances, not the situation described at the beginning.

Be open about changes even when you are unsure whether they are relevant. Trying to manage the issue alone, delaying disclosure or providing incomplete information can create greater concerns about transparency and safeguarding. Your social worker can explain what needs to be recorded and whether the change requires formal action.

The likely next step will depend on the nature and timing of the change. The assessment might:

• continue with the existing plan after the change has been considered;
• continue with extra evidence, checks, training or support;
• be paused while your circumstances settle or further information is obtained;
• lead to a revised recommendation about the age, number or needs of children you could foster; or
• be ended if the agency concludes that fostering is not suitable at that point.

A pause does not necessarily mean that your application has failed. For example, a move, major family change or period of ill health may need time to settle before the assessment can be completed responsibly. Your agency should explain the reason for any delay, what information is still needed and whether there is a plan for reviewing the position.

If your circumstances change after the assessment report has been prepared but before a fostering panel or approval decision, the report may need to be amended or the decision postponed. The decision-maker must have current information when considering whether you meet the required standards and what approval would be appropriate. If the change happens after approval but before a placement, the agency will still need to review its effect before arranging a placement.

Ask your assessing social worker to confirm three points: what has changed in the assessment record, whether any additional checks are required and how the change affects the expected next step. Keep relevant documents and provide information promptly, while allowing the agency to complete its assessment properly. A fostering assessment should reflect the household that would actually care for a child, so updating it when circumstances change is an essential part of safe decision-making.