Fostering is collaborative, but difficult decisions do happen: a change to your terms of approval, a placement move you believe is avoidable, a refused request for respite or support, or even a proposal to terminate your approval. When you disagree, there are routes to challenge decisions—locally, independently, and (in some cases) nationally. This guide explains the options across the UK and how to use them effectively.
1) Start local: ask for an explanation and try early resolution
Before you write a formal complaint, ask the decision-maker (or your supervising social worker and their manager) for:
- the policy or regulation relied on,
- the evidence used (case notes, risk assessments, minutes), and
- what alternatives were considered.
Many issues resolve quickly once the rationale is clear or missing information is supplied. Regulators also advise starting with the provider first—Ofsted in England, the Care Inspectorate in Scotland, CIW and Welsh councils in Wales, and RQIA in Northern Ireland all signpost you to the service initially because most concerns can be fixed fastest there.
Tip: keep a calm, dated note of who you spoke to, what was said, and any agreed next steps.
2) Use the formal complaints process (England, Wales, Scotland, NI)
If informal routes don’t solve it, move to a written complaint under the correct procedure:
- England (local authorities): The Children Act 1989 Representations Procedure (England) Regulations 2006 sets out the statutory complaints route (with investigation and independent involvement at defined stages). Many foster-carer disputes with councils belong here.
- Wales: Councils follow a two-stage social services complaints process, then you can go to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales if unresolved.
- Scotland: Every fostering service (LA or independent) must provide a complaints route, and you can raise concerns directly with the Care Inspectorate if needed.
- Northern Ireland: Raise the complaint with your Trust or provider; serious concerns about services can also be raised with RQIA. Unresolved complaints about public bodies can go to the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO).
What to include: a clear statement that you’re making a formal complaint, the decision you challenge, the impact on the child/household, the remedy you seek, and any evidence (emails, panel minutes, care plan extracts). Services often publish practical “how to complain” pages—follow them and meet any time limits.
3) Ask for the decision to be reviewed internally
Some issues can be reconsidered without a full complaints investigation, e.g., a matching decision where new information emerges, a contact schedule that clashes with school, or a support package that was declined due to a misunderstanding. Request an internal review by a senior manager, referencing the child’s welfare, placement stability, and any statutory guidance. This can be quicker than a formal complaint if time is tight.
4) Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) for fostering approval decisions (England & Wales)
If your fostering service issues a “qualifying determination”—for example proposing not to approve you, to terminate your approval, or to change your terms of approval—you may be able to ask the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) to consider the case. The IRM is separate from your agency and looks at the evidence afresh before making a recommendation. It covers adoption and fostering providers in England and Wales.
Key points about the IRM:
- You’ll receive a qualifying determination letter that explains your right to seek an IRM review and the deadline to do so.
- The IRM panel considers the same evidence (and any new information you submit) and sends a recommendation back to your provider, which the provider must take into account before making a final decision.
Use the IRM when the dispute is fundamentally about your suitability or terms of approval. For issues like support levels, mileage, or a specific placement decision, the IRM is not the right route—use the complaints procedures above.
5) Regulators and Ombudsmen—when and how to escalate
- Regulators check whether services are safe and compliant; they don’t re-make placement decisions for individual cases but use complaints intelligence to inspect and, where needed, enforce standards. (England: Ofsted; Scotland: Care Inspectorate; Wales: CIW; NI: RQIA.)
- Ombudsmen examine maladministration—for example, not following policy, delay, bias, or poor communication—and can recommend remedies (apologies, service improvements, sometimes financial redress). Routes include Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, NIPSO in NI, and the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman in England for council functions (check scope).
Where the complaint is about an independent fostering agency, regulators can still take notice, but ombudsmen may be limited to the council’s actions (e.g., where a council decision is involved). Always check the ombudsman’s remit first; their sites include searchable case summaries that show how similar issues were resolved.
6) Allegations vs complaints—different routes
If your challenge relates to a safeguarding allegation about you or your household, that is handled under a separate allegations procedure (e.g., via the LADO in England, or local equivalents). You can still raise process concerns, but the priority is child safety and a fair investigation. National guidance sets out good practice for managing and recording allegations; ask what support is available to you while enquiries are ongoing.
7) Building a persuasive challenge: evidence and structure
Focus on the child’s welfare and proportionality. Decision-makers respond well to clear, child-centred reasoning.
A simple structure for your letter/email
- Heading: “Formal Complaint” or “Request for Review” (and the decision/date you’re challenging).
- Summary: 2–3 sentences on why the decision is wrong or procedurally unfair.
- Facts: objective timeline, who said/did what, with dates.
- Standards: cite the relevant policy/procedure (e.g., your fostering handbook, statutory complaints regulations, placement matching policy).
- Impact: on the child’s stability, education, attachments, or your ability to provide safe care.
- Remedy sought: what you want to happen (e.g., reconsideration with specific evidence, a meeting, reinstatement of support, or referral to panel).
- Attachments: minutes, plans, risk assessments, emails, training certificates, medical/education notes where appropriate.
Tone tips
- Be factual, not accusatory.
- Acknowledge legitimate concerns raised by the service, then explain how your proposal manages those risks.
- Offer alternatives (e.g., time-limited safety plan, extra supervision, enhanced recording) that allow the child to remain settled.
8) Practical timeframes and next steps
Each nation’s procedure sets time limits for acknowledging and investigating complaints or for accessing independent review; providers should give you these in writing. If deadlines pass without updates, politely chase and ask for a revised timetable. For England’s statutory complaints about council services, the stages and independent elements are set out in the regulations and accompanying guidance; parliamentary briefings explain the process in plain English.
If your challenge concerns a qualifying determination about your approval, diarise the IRM deadline immediately and request the IRM pack if you intend to proceed.
9) When to seek external support
- Independent fostering advice lines (charities, unions, fostering networks) can help you shape your case.
- Legal advice may be appropriate where there are court directions, allegations, or potential discrimination issues.
- Advocacy for the child or young person helps ensure their voice is heard in reviews and complaint outcomes (often referenced in national guidance and by ombudsmen).
10) Bottom line
You’re entitled to clear reasons, a fair process, and routes to challenge decisions that affect you and the children you care for. Start by seeking clarification and local resolution; if that fails, use the formal complaints process for your nation, consider the IRM where it applies, and escalate to the regulator or ombudsman when procedures aren’t followed. Keep it child-centred, evidence-based, and solutions-focused—and don’t hesitate to ask for support while you navigate the process.