Fostering
Carer Transfer Guide: Moving Between Agencies Smoothly
Thinking about moving from your current fostering provider to a new one? You’re not alone. Carers transfer for all kinds of reasons—better support, different types of placements, a stronger relationship with a supervising social worker (SSW), or a package that fits family life. The good news: with a clear plan and open communication, you can transfer without disrupting children and without losing your hard-won experience. Here’s a practical, step-by-step guide to make it smooth.
Why carers transfer (and how to decide if you should)
Check your real motivations
Start by writing down the “push” and “pull” factors. Are you seeking more local placements, 24/7 support that actually answers, stronger therapeutic training, or clearer respite and holiday cover? Or is it mainly about fees and mileage? When you’re precise, it’s easier to choose a provider that genuinely meets those needs (rather than swapping one frustration for another).
Timing your move
Avoid breaking placement stability
If a child is with you now, ask both providers how continuity will be protected. In many cases the priority is that the child stays put with you while the commissioning authority and the two agencies work out the contract route. If you don’t have a placement, transfers are typically faster—but still plan for references, health checks, and panel scheduling.
Understanding approvals and portability
What actually “moves” with you
Your approval category (e.g., age range, number of children, types of fostering) doesn’t vanish because you change agencies. The new provider will review your Form F and update it, but your experience and evidence remain yours. Expect to refresh safer caring, health & safety, references, and any gaps in training so that your new panel has a current picture.
Your current contract and notice
Read the small print before you announce
Most agencies have notice clauses, rules around outstanding loans or equipment, and expectations about returning documents. Before you tell anyone you’re leaving, re-read your agreement and check policies on retainer payments, unspent allowances, or deductions after notice. Knowing the ground rules helps you plan finances and avoid last-minute surprises.
The role of referrals and matching
Don’t chase rates—chase the right matches
Better matching beats a headline rate. Ask the prospective provider for recent placement patterns in your area (age, needs, sibling groups, UASC, parent & child). If you foster teens but the new provider mostly receives under-10 referrals nearby, you could sit unplaced longer. Request examples of how they present referrals, how much time you get to decide, and how they support you to say “no” safely when a match isn’t right.
Support, supervision and out-of-hours
Test the day-to-day reality
Ask about SSW caseloads, home-visit frequency, and who answers at 2am. Is out-of-hours staffing therapeutic and decisive, or just a message-taking service? What does supervision look like after an allegation or crisis? Good providers can explain how they debrief incidents, offer reflective supervision, and arrange respite proactively.
Training and development
Map your CPD and gaps
Gather your certificates (Skills to Foster, safeguarding, first aid, safer caring, de-escalation). The new provider will review what’s still valid and what needs refreshing. Clarify whether training is in-person or online, how often therapeutic parenting or PACE refreshers run, and whether there’s specialist input for neurodiversity, trauma, or UASC. If you’re aiming for parent & child or therapeutic approvals, ask what additional assessment and mentoring they provide.
Money matters: allowance, fees and extras
Get a written breakdown—not just a weekly total
Ask the new provider to separate child allowance (to cover the child’s costs) from the carer fee/skill payment (your professional element). Confirm mileage rates, birthday/holiday/festive payments, retainers between placements, and how respite is funded. If there are skill levels, ask what you must evidence to progress and how often reviews happen. A transparent schedule avoids awkward discussions later.
Allegations, standards of care and complaints
Clarity and fairness when things get tough
Every carer wants to know they’ll be treated fairly if an allegation arises. Ask the prospective provider to walk you through the investigation process, timescales, and what practical support (e.g., advocacy, supervision frequency, breaks) is offered. Ask how they manage standards of care concerns and how learning is documented—not just for compliance, but to genuinely improve practice.
Data, recording and confidentiality
Moving your logs the right way
Your daily recordings, safer-caring plan and key documents are sensitive. Confirm how information will be shared securely between agencies, what remains your personal record, and how you’ll store ongoing logs (paper vs. digital). Agree a cut-over date so you’re not keeping duplicate systems longer than needed.
How a transfer usually runs (step-by-step)
A simple, practical sequence
- Quiet research: shortlist providers that match your goals (placement types, support model, proximity).
- Initial chat (off the record): discuss likely matches, training, support, and the financial breakdown.
- Paperwork check: gather Form F, medicals, references, training certificates, latest review.
- Formal application: the new provider starts the update/transfer assessment process.
- Inform current agency: serve notice in line with your contract. Be professional and child-focused.
- Information exchange: agencies share required documents securely (with your consent).
- Home visit & updates: complete any health & safety checks, safer caring refresh, and training top-ups.
- Panel: the new provider’s panel considers your transfer and confirmation of your approval terms.
- Post-panel onboarding: you receive your new handbook, recording tools, on-call details, and training timetable.
- First reviews: early supervision visits make sure you’re settled and have the right support.
Protecting the child during a live placement
Keep relationships steady while adults change logos
If a child is already with you, emphasise that their day-to-day won’t change—same bedroom, school, routines, contact arrangements—while adults in the background sort contracts. Ask both providers to coordinate language used with the child and birth family so messaging is calm and consistent. If the commissioning local authority agrees to continue the placement with you under the new provider, request a simple transition plan and updated placement plan in writing.
Common pitfalls—and how to avoid them
Learn from other carers’ experience
- Switching for money alone: If support is weak, higher pay won’t fix the stress. Prioritise the team around you.
- No evidence of local referrals: Ask for real examples from your area.
- Unclear notice: Misreading your current contract can be costly—check first.
- Training lapses: Keep CPD current so the new panel sees a strong, safe practice record.
- Poor communication: Let professionals know early and keep written notes of agreements and dates.
Your transfer checklist
Print this and tick it off
- Reason for transfer written down (support, training, placement type, locality).
- Contract reviewed (notice, retainer, equipment, deductions).
- Certificates gathered (safeguarding, first aid, safer caring, therapeutic training).
- Approval terms confirmed (age range, numbers, placement types).
- Financials in writing (allowance, fee, extras, mileage, respite, retainers).
- Out-of-hours process tested (who answers, what they do).
- Allegations/complaints process explained clearly.
- Secure data transfer agreed and cut-over date set.
- Panel date booked; onboarding and first supervision scheduled.
Final word: move with purpose, not panic
Choose the team you want at your kitchen table
A transfer isn’t about starting again; it’s about continuing your fostering journey with a provider that fits your values and supports your family. Stay child-focused, get everything in writing, and pick the agency that feels like a genuine team around you—both on an ordinary Tuesday and at 2am when you really need them.