What happens if a foster placement is not suitable in Worcester?

An unsuitable foster placement does not automatically mean that fostering has gone wrong or that the child or carer is at fault. It means the arrangements need to be reviewed carefully to establish what is making the placement difficult, whether risks can be reduced, and what plan best protects the child and everyone in the household.

Raise concerns early. Tell your supervising social worker about difficulties as soon as they become clear. Concerns might relate to the child’s behaviour, emotional needs, routines, relationships in the household, information that was not known before the placement, or the level of support and experience available. Keeping concerns to yourself can make it harder to respond proportionately.

If there is an immediate safeguarding concern or someone is at risk of harm, follow the agreed emergency and safeguarding procedures without delay. The child’s social worker, the placing authority and relevant fostering professionals may need to be informed so that decisions are based on the full picture.

A review will look at the circumstances, not just the outcome. The fostering team will usually help gather clear information about:

• what has happened, when it happened and who was involved;
• the child’s wishes, feelings, behaviour and assessed needs;
• how the placement is affecting the child, foster carer and other household members;
• whether the original matching information remains accurate or complete;
• any safeguarding, health, education or contact issues; and
• what practical changes or specialist advice might reduce the difficulty.

It is useful to keep factual records of significant incidents, conversations, patterns and actions already tried. Avoid labels or assumptions, and record the child’s words accurately where relevant. These records can help professionals distinguish a short-term settling-in difficulty from a persistent mismatch or an issue requiring a different response.

The first option may be to change the support around the placement. Depending on the concerns, the agreed plan could include clearer routines and boundaries, changes to contact arrangements, additional guidance, further training, more frequent professional review, or another practical adjustment. Any plan should identify who will do what, what the child needs, how risks will be managed and when the arrangements will be reviewed. Changes should not be made informally if they affect safeguarding, legal arrangements or the child’s care plan.

The child should be given an appropriate opportunity to express their views. Their perspective is important, but they should not be expected to decide alone whether a placement continues. Foster carers should also be able to explain what they can realistically manage, including the effect on their own children and other people in the household.

Sometimes a placement cannot safely or realistically continue. If the review concludes that the difficulties cannot be resolved, or that the child’s needs would be better met elsewhere, the placing authority may arrange a move. In urgent situations, a move may need to happen quickly; where circumstances allow, a planned transition can help the child understand what is happening, prepare their belongings and maintain appropriate relationships. The child’s care plan, safety and welfare should guide the arrangements.

If the placement ends, ask how the move will be managed, what information will be shared with the next carers, how important belongings and records will travel with the child, and how contact or ongoing relationships will be considered. A placement ending can be upsetting for foster carers as well as children, so a debrief is important. Your supervising social worker and fostering team should help you reflect on the experience and identify any further support or learning needed.

An unsuitable placement does not automatically prevent you from fostering again. The impact on your fostering assessment or future matching will depend on the circumstances, how concerns were managed, the lessons identified and the types of needs that can realistically be supported in your household. Be open about what happened and ask what information will be considered before another placement is proposed.

Before agreeing to a new placement, make sure you understand the child’s known needs, history, routines, contact arrangements and likely challenges. You should also be able to discuss which needs fall within your skills and household capacity, what support is available, and what would make the proposed match unsuitable. Careful matching and honest communication are important safeguards for both children and foster carers.