What happens if my circumstances change during a Birmingham fostering agency assessment?

A change during a fostering assessment is considered against the child’s safety and welfare, rather than treated as an automatic reason to end the application. The assessing social worker will look at what has changed, whether it affects your capacity to foster, and what further evidence is needed before the assessment can proceed.

It is important to be open about developments as soon as you are aware of them. The assessment is intended to reflect your current circumstances, not the situation that existed when you first enquired. Concealing a significant change can create greater difficulty later, particularly if it affects checks, references, household safety or your ability to provide consistent care.

Examples of changes that may need to be considered include:

• a new relationship, separation, divorce or another adult moving into or leaving the household;
• a pregnancy, birth, change in the needs of a child in the household or a change in caring responsibilities;
• a significant illness, diagnosis, injury or change in mental health;
• a new job, change in working pattern, redundancy or alteration to your income;
• moving home, planned building work, a change in bedroom arrangements or a change in who lives at the address;
• a new pet or any incident involving an animal;
• a police investigation, conviction, safeguarding concern or other matter relevant to suitability; or
• a major change in family relationships, support networks or personal circumstances.

The social worker will discuss the change with you and may ask questions about its practical effect. For example, a change in employment may require a revised work and childcare plan, while a move may require the home to be assessed again. If another adult joins the household, that person may need relevant checks, references and an assessment of their understanding of fostering.

Where appropriate, the agency may request updated evidence. This could include medical information, employment details, financial information, references, household documents, or information from other professionals. A doctor or other practitioner may be asked to comment on health where the change is medically relevant. The purpose is to understand how the circumstances affect your ability to offer safe, reliable and suitable care; it is not to judge a change simply because it has occurred.

Some developments may lead to a short pause while information is gathered. Others may require parts of the assessment to be revisited, additional visits or further preparation before a recommendation is made. If the change is substantial, the agency may need to consider whether the assessment remains appropriate in its current form. Your assessing social worker should explain what is being reviewed, why it is needed and whether you need to provide anything else.

Your assessment report should accurately record the relevant circumstances and how you have responded to them. The report is considered as part of the wider approval process, alongside checks, references, training and the evidence of your ability to meet a child’s needs. A fostering panel may ask questions about the change before making its recommendation, and the agency decision-maker then considers the recommendation and the full information available.

If your circumstances are unsettled, it may be sensible to discuss whether continuing immediately is the right approach. For example, following a house move, separation or major health event, you may need time to establish a stable routine or put additional support in place. Choosing to pause or reconsider an application is different from being rejected, and you can ask how a future application would be handled.

Practical steps to take are:

• Tell your assessing social worker about the change and provide the date and relevant facts.
• Explain how you think it may affect your household, work, support arrangements or ability to foster.
• Ask what checks, documents or professional advice may be required.
• Keep the agency updated if the situation continues to develop.
• Read any revised assessment information carefully and correct inaccuracies before it is presented for consideration.

Changes should also be discussed after approval if they affect the household or your ability to care for a child. Fostering is assessed on an ongoing basis, so keeping the agency informed helps ensure that placements and support arrangements remain appropriate.