What happens if a kinship foster placement breaks down?

A kinship foster placement breakdown means the child can no longer remain safely or sustainably in the care arrangement with a relative or someone else connected to them. This may lead to a temporary move, a planned change of placement or, where possible, a period of additional support to prevent the placement ending. A breakdown is not automatically a criticism of the carer; kinship arrangements can become unmanageable because of changing behaviour, family conflict, contact difficulties, safeguarding concerns or the child’s needs becoming more complex.

What happens first? The child’s social worker will usually speak with the carer, the child, parents where appropriate and other professionals involved in the placement. They will consider what has changed, whether anyone is at immediate risk and whether the difficulties can be addressed safely. The child’s views should be taken into account in a way that reflects their age and understanding.

If there is an immediate risk of harm, the child may need to stay somewhere else without delay. This could involve another approved family member, a different foster placement, residential care or another arrangement identified by the local authority. The decision should take account of the child’s safety, relationships, education, health, identity and longer-term care plan.

Can a placement be saved? In some cases, yes. The local authority or fostering service may consider a written plan setting out the changes needed, who will provide support and when progress will be reviewed. Possible measures include:

• more frequent visits from the social worker or supervising social worker;
• additional training or advice about behaviour, trauma, attachment or safer caring;
• practical help with routines, transport, school or appointments;
• support to manage contact between the child and their parents;
• family meetings or mediation where relationships are causing difficulty; and
• short breaks or other respite arrangements, where these are suitable and authorised.

Support should not be used to keep a placement going if doing so would expose the child or carer to unacceptable risk. A clear plan should explain what each person is expected to do and what will happen if the situation does not improve.

If the child moves , the local authority should plan the transition as carefully as the circumstances allow. The child may need help to understand why the move is happening, where they will live, how they will keep in touch with important people and what will happen to their belongings, school and health arrangements. A sudden move may be unavoidable, but adults should still provide clear, age-appropriate information and avoid blaming the child or carer.

After a move, the care plan and placement arrangements should be reviewed. The review may consider whether the new placement meets the child’s needs, how contact should work, whether further assessments are required and whether the previous carer should remain involved. A move does not necessarily end the child’s relationship with a kinship carer, although contact must be agreed with the social worker and managed in the child’s best interests.

What if there are allegations or safeguarding concerns? Where an allegation is made that a child has been harmed, or that a carer’s conduct may pose a risk, it will be handled under safeguarding procedures. The fostering service and local authority may make enquiries, seek advice from safeguarding professionals and decide whether the carer can continue caring for the child while enquiries take place. The carer should cooperate with the process, keep relevant information confidential and obtain independent legal or advocacy advice if needed.

A carer should record significant incidents accurately, including dates, what was said or observed, action taken and who was informed. They should avoid questioning the child repeatedly or attempting to investigate an allegation themselves. If the concern involves another household member, contact arrangements or a parent, it should still be reported through the agreed professional route.

What happens to the carer? The fostering service should discuss the end of the placement with the carer and explain any review, investigation or assessment that follows. The carer may be offered emotional support, supervision, debriefing and help to understand what happens next. If the carer believes the decision-making process was unfair, they can ask how to use the local authority’s complaints procedure or the fostering service’s own procedure. They may also seek independent advice.

The effect on approval depends on why the placement ended. A placement may break down without ending the person’s approval to foster. However, if there are safeguarding concerns, serious breaches of expectations or evidence that the carer cannot meet the child’s needs, the fostering service may review the carer’s approval. This could result in changes to the terms of approval, a formal review or, in serious cases, a decision to end approval. The carer should be told about the process and any rights to make representations or appeal.

How can future breakdowns be reduced? Before accepting another placement, the carer should take part in a full discussion about the child’s needs, family relationships, contact arrangements, known risks and the support available. It is reasonable to ask for information needed to make an informed decision and to explain any limits in the household’s ability to provide care. Regular communication with the social worker, early reporting of difficulties and keeping the placement plan up to date can help concerns to be addressed before they become a crisis.

A kinship carer who feels a placement is becoming unsafe should contact the child’s social worker and supervising social worker using the agreed procedure, rather than waiting until the situation becomes unmanageable. If there is an immediate threat to anyone’s safety, emergency services should be contacted. The priority throughout is to protect the child, respond fairly to the carer and make decisions based on the child’s welfare and care plan.