Can extended family be involved in whole family fostering?

Yes. Extended family can play a valuable part in whole family fostering without becoming foster carers themselves. Their involvement may range from offering emotional encouragement and practical help to taking part in agreed activities with the child. The fostering agency will consider the proposed role individually, based on the child’s needs and the arrangements needed to keep everyone safe.

Extended family might support fostering by:

• welcoming the child into family gatherings where this is suitable;
• helping the approved foster carer maintain family routines;
• providing transport to agreed activities or appointments;
• offering practical help during particularly demanding periods;
• being a trusted adult the child can get to know gradually; or
• supporting the foster carer emotionally and helping them maintain healthy relationships outside the fostering household.

Involvement should be planned rather than assumed. A relative who visits occasionally is in a different position from someone who regularly collects the child from school, supervises them, stays overnight or looks after them without the foster carer present. The agency may need to establish more information about the latter arrangement, including whether checks, safeguarding discussions, training or a more formal role are appropriate.

The foster carer remains responsible for following the child’s care plan and any instructions from the fostering agency and children’s social worker. Relatives should not make independent decisions about matters such as contact with birth family, healthcare, education, social media or overnight stays unless this has been clearly agreed. They should also understand who to contact if they are worried about the child.

During assessment, it is helpful to identify the relatives who are likely to have regular contact with the child and explain what that contact would look like. The assessment may explore:

• where and how often contact would take place;
• whether the relative understands the child’s history, needs and boundaries;
• how the relative would respond to challenging behaviour or a safeguarding concern;
• whether they can respect confidentiality and avoid asking intrusive questions;
• how they would follow agreed routines and professional advice; and
• whether their involvement is consistent with the child’s wishes, identity and relationships.

Confidentiality is particularly important. Relatives may know that a child is being fostered, but they should only be given information that they need and are permitted to have. They should not share photographs, personal details or information about the child’s background with other people or online. Clear guidance before the child joins the household can prevent misunderstandings.

Contact with extended family should also be introduced at a pace that suits the child. Some children may enjoy being included in ordinary family occasions, while others may find a large gathering, physical affection or unfamiliar people overwhelming. The foster carer and professionals should watch how the child responds and adjust arrangements where necessary. The child’s views should be taken seriously, in a way that reflects their age and understanding.

It is also sensible to discuss boundaries with relatives before fostering begins. This includes agreeing when visits take place, which areas of the home are private, how adults will speak about fostering, and what support is genuinely available. A relative can be supportive without being involved in every part of family life, and the foster carer should not feel obliged to accept help that does not work for the household or the child.

If a relative lives some distance away, they may still contribute through regular calls, planned visits or practical support for the foster carer. Their distance does not automatically prevent involvement, but any proposed care arrangement must be realistic and compatible with the child’s needs and the approved household’s responsibilities.

Before making commitments, discuss the proposed role with the fostering agency. The agency can explain what information is needed, whether additional assessment is required and how the arrangement should be recorded. This allows extended family to contribute in a safe, consistent way while keeping the child’s welfare at the centre of the fostering household.