What information will I receive about a child before accepting a placement in Warwickshire?

You will usually receive a written referral alongside a verbal briefing before deciding whether you can accept a placement. This information should give you a practical understanding of the child, the proposed arrangements and any known concerns, while making clear where records are incomplete or further assessment is needed. You should have an opportunity to ask questions and consider the placement before giving your agreement.

The information may be provided by the child’s local authority social worker, the fostering agency and, where appropriate, other professionals involved in the child’s care. Depending on the circumstances, it can include:

• a summary of the child’s history and significant events, usually set out in chronological order;
• current reports or assessments from social care, health, education or specialist services;
• the child’s usual routines, interests, strengths, communication style and practical care requirements;
• known situations that may cause distress, conflict or changes in behaviour, together with strategies that have previously helped;
• details of important relationships, including arrangements for contact with parents, siblings or other relatives;
• information about schooling, transport, appointments, activities and any equipment or additional support required;
• the proposed placement plan, including expectations for the first few days and how decisions will be shared; and
• details of relevant professionals and who to contact if the child’s circumstances change.

Ask to see the information in a form that is useful to you rather than relying only on a brief telephone conversation. A referral document, existing care plan, chronology or professional report may provide important context, but documents can be written for different purposes and may not explain what day-to-day care will involve. Your supervising social worker can help you identify what is clear, what needs clarification and what should be recorded in the placement plan.

It is also important to ask about information that is not yet known. For example, you may need to establish whether the child has previously lived with other children, how they respond to boundaries, what helps them settle at night, whether they have particular dietary or sensory needs, and how contact arrangements affect them before or after visits. If the answer is unknown, that should be acknowledged rather than presented as reassurance. You can then discuss how the uncertainty will be managed safely.

For an unplanned or emergency placement, there may be less information available before the child arrives. This does not mean you have to accept without understanding the essential risks and practical arrangements. The social worker should explain what is known, what is outstanding and how further information will be gathered. A fuller discussion and updated placement plan should follow as more is learned.

Before accepting, consider whether the proposed arrangements fit your household as well as the child’s needs. Discuss bedroom arrangements, other children or adults in the home, pets, school journeys, work commitments, transport, contact visits and any effect on existing foster children. You should also ask how supervision, introductions, meetings and professional support will be arranged. Matching is not simply about whether you have an available room; it is about whether the placement can be managed safely and consistently within your family circumstances.

Information about a child is confidential. You should only share it with people who need it to care for or safeguard the child, and you should follow the instructions given by the social worker and fostering agency about storing documents, using electronic records and speaking to schools or relatives. Do not seek information from, or make contact with, people connected to the child unless this has been agreed as part of the care arrangements.

Before making your decision, write down unanswered questions and ask for direct, specific answers. Useful questions include:

• What is the reason for the proposed move?
• What has helped the child in previous placements or living arrangements?
• What risks are currently known, and how will they be managed?
• What behaviour or care needs are most likely during the settling-in period?
• What contact will take place, where will it happen and who will supervise it?
• What information will be shared with school, health professionals and other relevant services?
• Who will make decisions about day-to-day care, and which decisions require social worker approval?
• When will the placement information be reviewed and updated?

You are allowed to say that you need more information or time to consider the proposal. If new facts emerge after acceptance, tell your supervising social worker promptly so that the plan can be reviewed. A careful decision is based not on having every possible detail, but on understanding the known circumstances, recognising the gaps, and agreeing realistic arrangements to protect the child and everyone in your household.