What information should I receive before accepting a respite placement?

Before accepting a respite placement, you should receive enough accurate, current information to make an informed decision and understand the arrangements you are agreeing to. This should normally be set out in a placement plan or equivalent written record, with any important gaps, uncertainties or changes explained to you before the child arrives.

Ask for the written placement details

The paperwork should confirm the proposed start and end dates, where the placement sits within the child’s wider care plan, and whether the arrangement is expected to remain short term. It should also identify the child’s social worker, supervising social worker, foster carer or parent involved in the arrangement, and the person responsible for decisions if plans change.

Check that you know:

• who has agreed to the placement and who can change or end it;
• how the placement will be reviewed;
• what arrangements apply if the child stays longer than planned;
• what records you are expected to keep; and
• how information should be shared securely.

Understand legal status and decision-making

You should be told about the child’s legal status and who holds parental responsibility. This affects decisions such as healthcare, school matters, photographs, travel, activities and changes to personal appearance. The placement information should explain which decisions are delegated to you and which require approval from the child’s social worker, parent or another authority.

Do not assume that permission to provide day-to-day care gives you authority to make every decision. Ask for examples relevant to the proposed placement, including what to do if consent cannot be obtained promptly or the child asks to do something that has not been covered.

Check safeguarding and risk information

Before saying yes, ask what safeguarding concerns you need to understand and what protective arrangements are expected in your home or during outings. This may include restrictions relating to people the child must not contact, places they must not visit, online activity, missing-from-care procedures, use of the telephone, or supervision around other children.

You should also know how to report an incident, allegation, disclosure or significant change in presentation, and who to contact for advice. Ask how concerns involving a member of your household would be managed. Clear instructions are particularly important where the placement includes known risks, but sensitive information should be shared on a need-to-know basis.

Clarify health, medication and appointments

Find out whether there are medical conditions, allergies, dietary requirements, disabilities, prescribed medicines or upcoming appointments that affect care. The information should explain how medication is stored, recorded and administered, what consent is required, and what to do if a dose is missed or the child becomes unwell.

Ask whether you will need to take the child to school, health appointments or other services, and who will provide medication, equipment, specialist instructions or relevant documents. If information is incomplete, this should be identified rather than left for you to discover after the placement begins.

Confirm education, transport and practical arrangements

Establish where the child will attend school or other provision during the respite period and who is responsible for transport. Confirm arrangements for school uniform, equipment, meals, activities, pocket money and belongings. If you are expected to use your vehicle, ask about consent, safety requirements and how agreed travel expenses are dealt with.

It is also sensible to establish what the child will bring, what you need to provide, and whether there are cultural, religious, communication or accessibility considerations that affect everyday care. These details can prevent avoidable disruption during a short placement.

Ask about money and expenses

Before accepting, request written information about the fostering allowance or other payment for the respite arrangement. Check what the payment covers, when it is made, and whether additional costs such as transport, activities, equipment or exceptional needs are handled separately. Ask what happens financially if the placement is cancelled, shortened or extended.

Payment arrangements should not be assumed from another placement or from an informal conversation. If the terms are unclear, ask the supervising social worker or fostering service to confirm them before agreeing.

Understand contact and communication arrangements

Ask how communication with the child’s usual foster carer, parent or professional network will be managed during the placement. Find out who should receive updates, what information should be recorded, and how urgent decisions will be communicated. You should also understand the boundaries around confidentiality, including what you may tell people outside the professional network and what the child should be told about sharing information.

Consider the impact on your household

Use the information provided to check whether the arrangement is suitable for everyone in your household, including children, other fostered children and pets. Consider sleeping arrangements, supervision, transport, planned commitments and how you would manage a change in behaviour or a disruption to normal routines.

You are entitled to ask further questions and to say that you need more information before deciding. A responsible decision is based not only on whether you want to help, but also on whether the placement can be managed safely and appropriately with the resources, space and support available to you.

Before confirming, keep a copy of the agreed information and note any matters that still need clarification. If the placement details change, ask for the updated plan and make sure everyone involved is working from the same information.