What happens before a voluntary foster care placement begins?

A voluntary foster care placement begins with an agreed plan for the child to live with approved foster carers, rather than with a court ordering the arrangement. Before the move takes place, the local authority must establish that the placement is suitable, that the necessary consent and information are in place, and that the child, parents and foster carers understand what will happen.

The process usually includes the following stages:

• A referral and initial information-sharing. The child’s social worker provides information about the child’s circumstances, personality, health, education, relationships, routines and any known risks. Some details may be shared in summary form initially, with fuller information provided once a potential match is being considered. Foster carers should have enough relevant information to make an informed decision, while the child’s privacy is protected.
• Considering whether the match is appropriate. The fostering service and the child’s social worker consider whether the household is suitable for this particular child. This includes looking at the child’s age, needs, behaviour, identity, relationships, pets, other children in the home and the carer’s experience. A foster carer can ask questions and should say if they do not feel able to meet the child’s needs. It is better to identify concerns before the placement starts than after the child has moved in.
• Confirming the legal basis. For a voluntary arrangement, the local authority records the agreement to accommodate the child and obtains the necessary consent from the relevant person or people with parental responsibility. Parents retain parental responsibility unless a court order changes this. The child’s views should also be sought and taken into account in a way that reflects their age and understanding. The social worker should explain what voluntary accommodation means and what happens if consent is questioned or withdrawn.
• Meeting the child and relevant adults. Where circumstances allow, introductions may include meetings, telephone or video conversations, visits, or information shared through photographs and profiles. The pace depends on the child’s needs and the reason for the placement. A planned introduction may not be possible when a child needs somewhere to live urgently, but the adults involved should still share essential information and help the child understand the move.
• Agreeing the placement information. Before the start date, the foster carers should receive clear written information about matters such as the child’s daily routine, health needs, medication, education, important relationships, triggers, communication style and cultural or religious needs. They should also know who to contact about different issues, how to report a concern, and what information must remain confidential.
• Preparing the household. Foster carers need to prepare a suitable bedroom and make practical arrangements for the child’s belongings, clothing, meals, transport and personal care. Everyone in the household should understand the child’s privacy, boundaries and expectations. Birth children and other household members may need an age-appropriate explanation of why the child is coming to stay, without sharing confidential details.
• Confirming the first-day arrangements. The adults involved agree how and when the child will arrive, who will accompany them, what belongings or documents will come with them, and how immediate needs such as food, medication and school attendance will be managed. The foster carer should know the names and contact details of the key professionals before the child arrives.

Foster carers should use this stage to ask practical questions rather than relying on assumptions. Useful questions include what the child already knows about the move, what helps them settle, whether there are health appointments or prescribed medicines, how they normally travel to school, and which adults are permitted to collect or contact them.

Information may change after a child moves in. A voluntary placement is therefore not treated as a one-off handover: the social worker reviews how the arrangement is working and updates the plan when the child’s needs or circumstances change. If important information is missing, the foster carer should raise this promptly with the fostering service and the child’s social worker.