What happens if an emergency placement is not right for my household?

An emergency referral is not an obligation to accept a placement. You should only agree when the information available indicates that your household can safely meet the child’s needs, taking account of your approval, experience, home circumstances and the effect on everyone already living there.

It is reasonable to decline a referral where the proposed arrangement does not fit your household. Relevant concerns might include the child’s age or needs, known behaviours, bedroom arrangements, pets, the needs of other children, transport requirements, health information, contact arrangements or the level of supervision required. You do not need to accept simply because the placement is urgent.

Before making a decision, ask the supervising social worker or duty worker to explain as much as is known about:

• why the child needs an emergency placement;
• the child’s immediate care, health and emotional needs;
• any known risks, behaviours or safeguarding concerns;
• schooling, family contact, transport and daily routines;
• how long the placement may last and what arrangements are being considered next; and
• the practical support available to you if the placement goes ahead.

Information may be incomplete during an emergency, so tell the agency which details you need in order to make a safe decision. Be clear about any limits in your household. For example, explain if you cannot manage particular behaviours, cannot provide the required sleeping arrangements, or are concerned about the effect on another child or vulnerable household member.

If you decide not to proceed, give a clear reason rather than simply saying that you are unavailable. This helps the agency understand what type of referral may be suitable in future and identify whether further training, advice or changes at home would be helpful. A decision based on safe matching is part of responsible fostering; accepting a placement that your household cannot manage safely would create greater risks for both you and the child.

Sometimes a referral appears suitable initially but becomes unsuitable when further information emerges. In that situation, contact your supervising social worker promptly and explain what has changed. Do not attempt to manage a serious concern alone, and do not make arrangements for the child to leave without the agency and relevant social workers being involved. They will assess the concern, review the placement plan and decide what action is needed.

If the child has already arrived and there is an immediate risk of harm, follow the safeguarding and emergency instructions provided by your fostering service. In an immediate danger situation, contact the emergency services as appropriate, then inform the fostering agency and the child’s social worker as soon as it is safe to do so.

A placement ending because it is not safe or suitable is different from giving up on fostering. The agency should review what happened with you, consider the child’s needs and your household’s circumstances, and discuss whether another placement might be more appropriate. You can also ask for the decision and any concerns to be recorded accurately, particularly where the information supplied before the placement was limited or changed significantly afterwards.

The key test is whether the arrangement can be safe, stable and manageable for the child and everyone in your household. If the answer is no, raise that concern promptly and honestly so that a more suitable plan can be considered.