Can foster carers decline a proposed placement?

Foster carers are not required to accept every referral made to them. A proposed placement should be considered against the foster carer’s approval, experience, household circumstances and ability to meet the particular child’s assessed needs. The decision should be made before the placement is agreed, with the reasons discussed openly with the fostering team.

A referral is more than a child’s age and gender. The information provided should help carers understand the child’s background, routines, health, education, relationships, behaviour, vulnerabilities and any identified risks. It may also cover contact arrangements with birth family, transport requirements, supervision, pets, other children in the household and the likely impact on existing placements.

Before making a decision, a foster carer can ask for clarification about:

• the child’s day-to-day care and support needs;
• known risks, including behaviours that could affect other household members;
• medical, emotional or educational requirements;
• contact with parents, relatives or other important people;
• the expected duration and purpose of the placement;
• practical arrangements such as school travel, appointments and supervision; and
• what training, equipment and professional support would be available.

It is reasonable to raise concerns if the carer lacks the relevant experience or training, if the child’s needs fall outside the carer’s approval, or if the placement could create an unmanaged risk. Household members should also be considered. For example, a proposed placement may not be suitable if it would compromise the safety or wellbeing of another child, an existing foster placement or a vulnerable adult in the home.

The fostering team should consider the information with the carer rather than treating the referral as an instruction. A supervising social worker may help assess whether additional training, increased support, adaptations to the home or a clear placement plan could address the concerns. If the needs cannot be safely met, declining before agreement is generally the responsible decision.

There are important limits. A carer must not reject a child for discriminatory reasons, such as race, disability, religion or another protected characteristic. Any decision should relate to the child’s assessed needs, the carer’s approval and the household’s genuine ability to provide safe and appropriate care. The child’s welfare remains central to the matching process.

Once a placement has been accepted, a foster carer cannot simply end it or refuse ongoing care without discussing the situation with the fostering service and the child’s social worker. If circumstances change or previously unknown information comes to light, the carer should report this promptly. The professionals can then review the risk assessment, support arrangements and placement plan. In an urgent safeguarding situation, the carer should follow the service’s safeguarding and emergency procedures.

Declining one referral does not automatically mean that a carer is unsuitable. However, repeated refusals, unexplained decisions or a pattern suggesting that the carer’s approval no longer reflects their circumstances may lead to a discussion about the terms of approval, training needs or future matching. Keeping a clear, honest record of the reasons for a decision helps everyone understand that it was based on safe and appropriate care.

Foster carers who feel pressured to accept a placement should ask for the referral details and time to consider them, and should explain their concerns clearly. They can speak to their supervising social worker, fostering manager or the relevant social work team. Where a disagreement cannot be resolved, they can ask what review, complaints or independent support arrangements are available through their fostering service.

The aim is not to find a placement that creates no challenges. Fostering involves supporting children with complex experiences, and carers may take placements outside their previous experience with suitable preparation and support. The key question is whether the proposed care can be provided safely, consistently and within the carer’s approval and capacity at that point in time.