Sometimes, for a number of reasons, a foster carer will choose to transfer to a different fostering service. This may be, for example, because the carer is moving location or because they do not feel that the support, training and remuneration they are receiving from their current service makes them feel valued or gives them all that they require to meet the needs of the children in their care.
Moving services is a big decision and shouldn’t be undertaken lightly, especially if there are children in placement with the foster carer. Foster carers should investigate any new fostering service carefully, and they should also be aware that moving to another fostering service usually requires a repeat of their approval and assessment process which can take several months.
Guiding principles
- All foster carers have the right to freedom of movement between fostering services.
- Fostering services should not coerce or entice foster carers to transfer to a new service in order to ensure the continuation of a child’s placement with them.
- Planning for a movement from one service to another must be child-centred and allow for the child or young person (and their parents or other relevant people) to have their views heard.
- A foster carer cannot be approved by more than one fostering service at the same time, and so they must not be approved by the fostering service to which they are transferring before the date that their previous approval ends.
Transfer protocols
Wherever a carer lives in the UK, the way in which fostering services should manage the movement of foster carers is guided by a transfer protocol. Any foster carer considering moving service should read the relevant transfer protocol, as well as the guiding principles above.
How we can help foster carers
- Our advice lines provide confidential, independent and impartial advice for foster carers in the UK.
- Our members also have exclusive access to our online community where you can log in to share your experience and get advice from other foster carers.