What happens when a temporary emergency placement is offered?

After you accept a temporary emergency placement, the immediate priority is to organise the child’s move safely, establish essential information and put practical arrangements in place for the first few days. The placement begins with a short-term plan, which is then reviewed and developed as the child’s circumstances become clearer.

Before the child arrives

The fostering agency and the child’s social worker will confirm the arrangements for bringing the child to your home. This normally includes agreeing:

• where and when the child will arrive;
• what clothing, medication, school items or personal belongings are coming with them;
• who has parental responsibility and which decisions you can make as a foster carer;
• any immediate health, behavioural, dietary or communication needs;
• contact arrangements with parents, relatives or other important people; and
• the name and contact details of the professionals involved.

In an emergency, some details may not be available immediately. You should not be expected to make important decisions without appropriate professional advice. Ask for clarification if information is uncertain, contradictory or missing, particularly where it could affect safety, medication, supervision or contact.

When the child arrives

The first meeting should be handled calmly and with as little disruption as possible. A child arriving in an emergency may be frightened, confused, angry or withdrawn. They may not understand why they have moved or what will happen next. Your role is to provide clear, age-appropriate explanations without making promises about how long they will stay or what decisions will be made.

Practical first steps usually include showing the child where they will sleep, explaining the household’s basic routines and boundaries, offering food and drink, and checking whether they need medical attention or essential items. Keep expectations simple at first. A child may need time before they can talk openly about what has happened.

It is important to maintain privacy and dignity. Do not discuss the child’s circumstances with neighbours, friends or others who do not need to know. If there are other children in the household, explain the change in routine in a suitable way while protecting the child’s confidential information.

The first plan for the placement

The local authority and fostering agency will develop an initial plan covering the child’s immediate needs and the arrangements for reviewing the placement. This should address areas such as:

• health appointments, medication and any urgent assessments;
• school, nursery or education arrangements;
• family time and how contact will take place;
• transport and supervision responsibilities;
• daily routines, personal care and dietary requirements;
• known risks, triggers and strategies for responding to distress; and
• the next meeting or review of the placement.

The plan may change as professionals learn more about the child. Changes should be explained to you, and you should raise concerns if the proposed arrangements are difficult to manage safely or do not reflect the child’s needs.

Your responsibilities as a foster carer

You will be expected to provide day-to-day care, follow the agreed placement plan, promote the child’s welfare and share relevant observations with the professionals supporting the placement. This includes reporting significant incidents, changes in behaviour, health concerns, missing episodes, allegations or difficulties with contact in line with the agency’s procedures.

Keep factual records rather than relying on memory. Record what happened, when it happened, who was present, what the child said in their own words where relevant, and what action was taken. Do not investigate suspected abuse yourself or ask leading questions. Report safeguarding concerns promptly through the agreed route.

You should also understand which decisions you can make as part of everyday care and which require approval from the child’s social worker, the agency or someone with parental responsibility. This can include decisions about healthcare, education, travel, photographs, social media and activities involving a higher level of risk.

Support and review

Your supervising social worker or another named member of the fostering team should help you understand the plan, respond to concerns and identify any additional support or equipment needed. The child’s social worker remains responsible for decisions about the child’s care and longer-term situation. Keep both professionals informed about how the placement is progressing, including positive developments as well as problems.

Early reviews are particularly important because an emergency placement may later end, move to another arrangement or continue under a revised plan. A review should consider whether the child’s needs are being met, whether contact is working, whether risks have changed and whether you can continue caring for the child safely. You can contribute your observations and ask questions before decisions are made.

Any fostering allowance or other financial arrangements should be explained by the agency and confirmed in accordance with the placement agreement. Ask who to contact if the child needs clothing, specialist equipment, travel or other essential items.

Accepting an emergency placement does not mean that you must manage every issue alone. Contact the agreed fostering support team when you are unsure what to do, when the child’s needs change or when the placement is affecting the safety and wellbeing of anyone in your household.