What information should I request before accepting an emergency foster placement?

Before accepting an emergency foster placement, ask for enough verified information to assess whether you can meet the child’s needs safely and whether the placement is suitable for everyone in your household. Some details may be unavailable at short notice, but the social worker should distinguish between confirmed facts, professional concerns and information that still needs to be established.

Start with the decision-making essentials. Ask the placing social worker to explain:

• Why an emergency move is necessary now and what alternatives have been considered.
• What the main safeguarding concerns are, including any immediate threats to the child or other people.
• What the social worker believes the child needs from a foster household during the first few days.
• What could make the placement unsuitable for your household or require a review.
• Who has authority to agree the placement and who will make decisions if circumstances change.

This discussion helps you understand the purpose of the placement rather than relying only on a brief description of the child. You should be able to make an informed decision without feeling pressured to accept a situation you cannot manage safely.

Ask what information has been checked. In an emergency, records may be incomplete or based on information supplied by different professionals. Ask whether the details you have been given come from the child’s social worker, previous carers, relatives, school, health professionals or another source. It is also reasonable to ask:

• When the information was last updated.
• Whether there are gaps, contradictions or unverified allegations in the records.
• Whether previous placement information, assessments or incident records can be shared securely.
• What further checks will be completed after the child arrives.
• How you should report information that later proves to be inaccurate or incomplete.

Do not assume that a lack of recorded information means there are no concerns. Ask specifically what is not known and how those unknowns will be managed.

Clarify safeguarding and household risks. Ask whether there are known risks involving self-harm, exploitation, missing episodes, violence, criminal or gang involvement, substance use, sexualised behaviour, fire-setting, aggression towards animals or risks to younger children. The purpose is not to label the child; it is to plan appropriate supervision and reduce avoidable danger.

You should also explain who lives in your home, including children, other adults and pets, and ask whether the proposed placement has been assessed against those circumstances. Check whether you need to change sleeping arrangements, restrict access to particular rooms or belongings, or follow specific supervision rules. If the child’s needs may affect another child in your household, ask how their safety and privacy will be protected.

Understand the legal and professional arrangements. Ask what legal status the child has and what decisions you are authorised to make as a foster carer. This may affect consent for ordinary activities, appointments, school matters, photographs, travel and communication with relatives. Confirm:

• Who holds parental responsibility.
• Who can consent to medical treatment and other significant decisions.
• What decisions can be delegated to you.
• Which decisions must be referred to the social worker or another authority.
• What documents or identification should accompany the child.

Request these arrangements in writing where possible. Verbal instructions can be difficult to recall accurately during a busy first day, particularly when several professionals are involved.

Ask how the first review will work. Find out when the placement will be reviewed, who will attend and what information you will need to provide. Ask how changes to the plan are agreed and whether the placement could become longer term, move to another arrangement or end at short notice. You should understand what notice, preparation and support will be provided for each possible outcome.

It is also important to know how your observations will be considered. Ask whether you should keep daily records, how incidents should be documented and where records must be stored. Accurate records should separate what you directly observed from what the child or another person told you.

Confirm communication and escalation arrangements. Before agreeing, obtain the names and contact details of the supervising social worker, the child’s social worker and the duty or out-of-hours contact specified by your fostering service. Ask which issues should be reported immediately, which can be included in routine updates and what to do if you cannot reach the first contact. This is particularly important where there are safeguarding concerns, serious incidents, missing episodes or a significant change in the child’s presentation.

Ask how information will be shared with you while protecting the child’s confidentiality. You should know who is permitted to receive updates, whether relatives may contact you directly and how to respond if someone asks for information about the child. Do not share details on social media or with people who are not involved in the placement.

Use a written pre-placement checklist. Before the child arrives, record the answers you receive, the name of the person providing each answer and any actions still outstanding. Include the placement plan, essential records, agreed household rules, supervision arrangements, decision-making permissions, contact arrangements and review date. If documents cannot be provided before arrival, ask when they will be supplied and who is responsible.

If the information reveals risks beyond your approval, experience, household circumstances or practical capacity, explain this clearly to the social worker. Declining an unsuitable placement is not a failure to help; accepting a placement without the necessary information or safeguards can create avoidable risks for both the child and your family. A well-informed decision should be based on what is known, what remains uncertain and whether there is a clear plan to manage both.