What happens if a teenager’s placement becomes difficult?

A difficult placement does not automatically mean that a teenager must move. The next step is a structured review of what is happening, the risks involved, the teenager’s wishes and the support needed to decide whether the placement can remain safe and sustainable. The supervising social worker, the teenager’s social worker and other relevant professionals should be involved in that decision.

Put immediate safety first. If there is an immediate risk of serious harm to the teenager, foster carers, other children or anyone else in the household, take reasonable steps to create distance and contact the appropriate emergency service. Follow the safeguarding and emergency procedures provided by the fostering service. Do not attempt to physically restrain a teenager unless this is necessary and lawful to prevent immediate harm, and never use restraint as a punishment.

For serious but non-immediate concerns, keep a clear record of what has happened. Include dates, times, what was said or done, who was present, action taken and any injuries, damage or other consequences. Separate observations from assumptions. Accurate records help professionals identify patterns and prevent one incident from being considered in isolation.

Different difficulties require different responses. Examples may include:

• arguments, refusal to follow household expectations or repeated conflict;
• missing episodes, unsafe contacts or concerns about exploitation;
• self-harm, suicidal thoughts, substance misuse or deteriorating mental health;
• damage to property, aggression or behaviour that affects other household members;
• problems with school, appointments, contact arrangements or communication with professionals; and
• an allegation or complaint involving the foster carer or another member of the household.

A teenager’s behaviour may communicate distress, fear, loss, trauma or a need for greater control. That does not remove the need for firm safeguarding boundaries, but it does mean that professionals should consider the reasons behind the behaviour as well as its immediate effect. The teenager should be given an appropriate opportunity to explain what is happening and to contribute to decisions about their care.

Where a placement may continue, the professionals involved can examine whether the existing plan remains suitable. This may involve clarifying roles, checking that agreed contact and education arrangements are workable, reviewing risk information, considering specialist services and agreeing how incidents will be managed. Any changes should be recorded and shared with everyone who needs the information, while respecting confidentiality.

Foster carers should not try to investigate safeguarding concerns themselves. If a teenager discloses abuse, exploitation or another serious concern, listen calmly, avoid leading questions, do not promise secrecy and write down the teenager’s words as accurately as possible. Report the concern through the required safeguarding route. Allegations made against a foster carer must also be passed on without attempting to prove or disprove them; the fostering service and relevant safeguarding professionals will explain the procedure and any immediate restrictions that apply.

If a teenager goes missing, the carer should follow the individual missing-from-care protocol and provide professionals with relevant information about possible locations, contacts, risks and circumstances. When the teenager returns, their welfare should be checked and the responsible professionals should be informed. A return interview may help identify whether exploitation, unsafe relationships or other risks contributed to the episode.

Sometimes a placement cannot safely continue despite additional help. This should normally be treated as a planned safeguarding decision rather than an informal arrangement between the carer and teenager. The responsible professionals should consider alternative care, the timing and manner of any move, the teenager’s views, contact with important people, school arrangements, medication, belongings and information that needs to transfer to the next placement. A disruption review can examine what worked, what did not and what should be learned for future matching decisions.

Foster carers should also tell their supervising social worker when the situation is affecting their own wellbeing or the safety of other children in the household. Seeking advice is part of responsible fostering, not evidence that a carer has failed. The purpose of professional involvement is to protect everyone, understand the teenager’s needs and reach a properly informed decision about the placement.