Thinking of transferring fostering agencies?
Thinking About Transferring From Your Fostering Agency or Local Authority?
If you’re currently fostering but considering a move to a different agency, the first thing to remember is that it’s entirely your right to foster with the organisation you feel works best for you.
As a foster carer you should expect to feel supported, valued and able to make a difference in the lives of children placed with you. If you’ve found yourself on this page, it may be because something isn’t working as well as it should right now.
We’d really welcome the chance to talk with you about transferring to South Coast Fostering. We believe we offer excellent support, a strong financial package, and we work hard to ensure our carers have placements when they want them. In fact, we see an approved carer who isn’t fostering as a failure on our part.
Sometimes a change of agency can make a real difference. We’ve had carers join us who were close to giving up fostering altogether. After transferring, many of them are still fostering happily years later — something that benefits not just them, but the children who need stable homes.
What Our Foster Carers Receive
At South Coast Fostering, we believe that carers should feel properly supported and fairly rewarded for the important role they play. Our carers receive:
£479.50 per week to care for a child aged 0–10
£507.50 per week to care for a child aged 11+
No deductions for siblings placed together
- Monthly contribution to council tax.
Alongside this, our carers have 24/7 access to support from our team. Fostering doesn’t only happen during office hours, so if something unexpected happens or you simply need advice, someone is always available to help.
What are the right reasons to change
As we mentioned earlier, it’s entirely your choice who you foster with. You should never feel that you have to justify wanting to move to a different agency or local authority.
That said, transferring agencies does take time and effort, so it’s worth taking a moment to think about whether a move is really the right step for you.
If you feel you’re not getting the support you need, it can sometimes be helpful to speak openly with your current agency first. Let them know what support you feel is missing — you may find they are able to put changes in place.
Similarly, if the issue is more about your relationship with your supervising social worker, it might be possible to request a different one. A change like this can sometimes resolve things without the need to go through the transfer process.
Of course, we would love you to join South Coast Fostering. But more importantly, we want what’s best for you and the children you care for. If the issues you’re experiencing can be resolved where you are, that may be the simplest option. If not, we’re always happy to talk through what transferring might look like.
What is the process
If, after thinking it through, you decide that transferring is the right step for you, the process is fairly straightforward. Everyone’s situation is slightly different, so the exact steps can vary, but this is generally how it works.
The first step is to have an informal conversation with us. This is simply a chance to talk about your experience of fostering so far and why you’re considering a move.
After that, the process is quite similar to when you first applied to foster. We will need to complete an updated assessment, which includes background checks and reviewing your experience as a foster carer. Once the assessment is complete, it will be presented to our fostering panel, who will make a recommendation about your approval.
In most cases, we aim to complete a transfer within two to three months. It’s usually quicker than an initial fostering assessment because much of the information already exists and simply needs updating.
One important piece of advice: never formally resign as a foster carer before speaking to a new agency. If you resign too early, the agency or local authority must accept your resignation after 28 days, which can create complications — especially if you currently have a child in placement.
Instead, you should inform your agency that you are considering transferring, and only formally resign once an agreed plan is in place.
The process is slightly different depending on whether you currently have a child in placement, which we explain below.
If you have a child in placement
If you currently have a child or children placed with you, the process can be a little more involved. The main priority for everyone involved is making sure that any move is positive and stable for the child as well as for you.
One of the first steps will usually be a transfer protocol meeting. This meeting normally involves you, your current fostering agency or local authority, the agency you want to transfer to, and the child’s social worker.
The purpose of the meeting is simply to make sure everyone agrees that the transfer will not disrupt the child’s stability or wellbeing. In our experience, these moves are rarely blocked, but it’s important that everyone understands the plan and is comfortable with it.
While this is happening, we will begin our fostering assessment. This will include speaking with you about your experience as a foster carer and reviewing relevant information held by your current agency.
Once the assessment is completed, we will arrange a date for our fostering panel. At that point we will advise you when it is appropriate to formally resign from your current agency so that we can agree the date you become an approved South Coast Fostering carer.
If You Don’t Have a Current Placement
If you don’t currently have a child in placement, the process is usually a little more straightforward.
There is normally no need for a transfer meeting with your current agency. Once you apply to transfer to us, we will contact your current agency or local authority to request a reference and to review your fostering records.
We know that many carers consider transferring because their relationship with their current agency has broken down. Because of this, some carers worry about what their reference might say or what information might be in their file.
Please don’t worry about this. From experience we know that there are always two sides to any story. The information we receive from your current agency is only one part of the overall picture.
We will always take the time to talk with you about your experience, understand what may have happened, what you have learned from it, and how you would approach similar situations in the future. Our focus is on understanding the full context, not just one perspective.
Meet Sally Our Registered Manager
Meet Sally – Our Registered Manager
Hi, I’m Sally, the Registered Manager at South Coast Fostering. Before becoming a manager, I was actually a foster carer myself, so I understand what it’s like to be in your position.
Because of that experience, my team and I make a point of always treating foster carers as the professionals they are. Fostering is a hugely important role, and carers deserve to be respected, listened to and properly supported.
I make sure we treat our carers in the way we would want to be treated ourselves — with honesty, fairness and trust.
Having worked as both a carer and within several fostering services, I can genuinely say that if you choose to foster with South Coast Fostering, you and the children you care for will be our absolute priority.
If you’d like to have a conversation with me about transferring, just complete the form below and I’ll be happy to give you a call.
book a call about fostering: Transferring
We’d be happy to give you a 15-20 minute call to tell you about fostering. Don’t worry, there’s no pressure from us – it’s honestly a chance for you to ask us any questions you have about fostering, and your suitability. Just complete this short form
Frequently Asked Questions About Transferring Fostering Agencies
Can I transfer from my current fostering agency?
Yes. Foster carers have the right to choose which fostering agency or local authority they work with. If you feel that your current agency is not the right fit for you, it is possible to transfer to another fostering service.
How long does it take to transfer fostering agencies?
A transfer usually takes around two to three months. The process is often quicker than a first fostering assessment because much of the information about your fostering experience already exists.
Do I have to resign from my current agency before applying to a new one?
No. You should never formally resign before speaking to a new fostering agency. Resigning too early can create complications, especially if you currently have a child in placement. The correct process is to discuss transferring first and only formally resign when an agreed plan is in place.
Can I transfer if I currently have a child in placement?
Yes, it is possible. If you have a child placed with you, a transfer protocol meeting will usually take place between you, your current agency, the new agency and the child’s social worker. The aim is to ensure the transfer will not disrupt the child’s stability.
What happens if I don’t currently have a placement?
If you don’t have a child placed with you, the process is usually simpler. Your new agency will request a reference and review your fostering records from your current agency while completing their own assessment.
Will my current agency be able to stop me transferring?
In most cases, no. As long as the transfer process follows the correct procedures and everyone is satisfied that it will not negatively affect any child in placement, transfers normally proceed without problems.
What if I’m worried about the reference from my current agency?
References are only one part of the overall assessment. A new agency will also speak with you directly about your experiences and understand the full context of any issues that may have occurred.
