How are foster carers matched with children in Birmingham?

Foster carers are matched with children through a structured assessment of suitability, compatibility and safeguarding. The process brings together information about the child and the proposed foster household so that the placement has the best possible basis for stability, care and support. A match is not made solely because a carer has an available bedroom or because the child needs a placement quickly.

Information considered about the child

The fostering team gathers information from the child’s social worker and other professionals involved in their care. This may include:

• the child’s age, communication style and level of independence;
• health needs, disabilities, emotional wellbeing and any identified risks;
• their experiences, relationships and behaviour that may affect daily care;
• school, travel, contact and routine arrangements;
• important cultural, religious, linguistic and family connections;
• whether they need to live with brothers or sisters; and
• the likely duration and purpose of the placement, such as short-term care, a planned move or support towards permanence.

The child’s wishes and feelings are considered in a way that reflects their age and understanding. A child may not be able to make the final decision about where they live, but their views can help professionals identify what will make the placement feel safe and manageable.

Information considered about the foster household

The matching process uses the information recorded during assessment and approval, together with any changes since approval. This can include the carer’s experience, training, strengths, approach to behaviour, understanding of trauma and ability to meet particular care needs.

Professionals also consider the household as a whole. They may look at the ages and needs of children already living there, relationships between household members, pets, sleeping arrangements, school journeys, work commitments and the availability of practical support. The aim is to understand how the proposed placement would work in everyday life, not just whether the carer meets the basic approval requirements.

Foster carers are approved for particular types of fostering and within defined terms. A proposed placement must fit those terms, or the fostering service must consider whether a formal change or exceptional decision is appropriate. Carers should not be asked to accept a placement that they cannot safely support.

How the matching decision is made

• A referral is shared with the fostering service, containing information about the child and the care that may be required.
• The team compares the referral with suitable foster carer profiles and approved terms.
• Professionals discuss practical, relational and safeguarding factors, including potential pressures on everyone in the household.
• The proposed carer receives relevant information and has an opportunity to ask questions before agreeing.
• Where appropriate, introductions or transition arrangements are planned, taking account of the child’s circumstances and the urgency of the placement.
• The placement decision is recorded, with a plan describing the child’s care, routines, contact and immediate support.

The final decision is based on the information available at the time. Foster carers should be given enough relevant information to make an informed decision, while the child’s confidentiality is protected. Some details may need to be handled carefully or shared progressively as trust and understanding develop.

What happens after a match?

Matching does not end once the child moves in. The foster carer, supervising social worker, child’s social worker and other professionals review how the arrangement is working. The care plan may need to be updated as the child’s needs become clearer. Support can include advice about routines, behaviour, education, health appointments, family contact and recording important events.

Foster carers should raise concerns promptly if the child’s needs differ from the information provided, if household relationships are under pressure or if the agreed arrangements are not working. A difficult start does not automatically mean that a placement will end, but concerns must be assessed honestly and acted on safely.

Sometimes no suitable match is identified. This is not a failure by the carer or the child; it means the proposed arrangement may not provide the right conditions at that point. Carers can discuss the reasons with their fostering team and consider whether further training, updated information or a different type of placement would be appropriate.

If you are considering fostering, ask how your skills and household circumstances would be assessed, what information you would receive before accepting a placement, and how you would be supported after the child arrives. Become A Foster Family provides guidance, training, financial support and ongoing assistance throughout the fostering journey.