“It was the first time, I fully appreciated just how many professionals are involved with the children and how important it must be to invest in these relationships,” said one of our recently approved carers.

This was an astutely made point. It is indeed important to build good relationships within the professional community, to understand their roles, their objectives and how best to work with them to promote the well being of the children you are fostering.

It’s also no bad thing to realise that this can be overwhelming as a foster carer and to remember how it must sometimes feel for children who live with a high degree of scrutiny.

Which professionals make up the fostering community?

The number of professionals surrounding a child in foster care will vary according to the circumstances, history and current needs of the child. In addition to the foster carer, every child will have a Local Authority Social Worker or a personal adviser if over the age of 18.

Local Authority Social Worker

Every child under 18 will have a local authority social worker. The fullness of their role depends on the status of the child. The Local Authority may have full parental responsibility for the child, for instance. All local authority social workers have the responsibility of implementing, following, supporting or advocating for the care plan for the child. As such, it is important that carers can feed into this process by regular, open communication and the establishment of a good working relationship. The social worker will have a legal obligation to see the child regularly; the exact timeframe will vary according to the individual needs and circumstances of the child but it will be specific. The social worker will ultimately be responsible for all areas of the care plan: education, health, emotional well-being etc. It is ultimately the foster carer who is involved most heavily day-to-day in all of these areas. An important part of the foster carer’s role is to feed their observations back to the social worker and advocate for the child. This is why a good working relationship is so important; it allows the voice of the child to be heard and responded to.

Health professionals

Children in foster care will have regular statutory health checks. These are usually carried out by a dedicated nurse. They are responsible for tracking the physical health of the child, but they may also identify any issues relating to mental health. Foster carers will be able to raise any concerns with the nurse and the nurse will be able to make recommendations if further input is needed. Foster carers also build relationships with GPs, dentists, opticians as children require regular appointments with these professionals also!

Education professionals

Education is a vital part of childhood and for children in foster care, there is a significant onus placed on it. There are regular meetings devoted to the education plans for a child. These meetings review progress, identify needs and set out changes to the current education plan. The education community will include foster carers, Local Authority Social Workers, supervising social workers (social workers dedicated to foster carers and their families), teachers, virtual schools, SEN professionals, pastoral professionals, careers advisors and anyone else who plays a role in the delivery of education for that specific child. Each review meeting will look at previous objectives and action points and will determine new objectives and areas for further support. Foster carers work closely with the children and with schools to support their educational needs, so it is often carers who have the most rounded view of how children are doing, what they are excelling at and what they need further support in. The quality of the relationships within this community are crucial in determining the educational outcomes for children in foster care. These relationships need to be pursued and nurtured by foster carers and foster carers should be able to play a major role in the advocacy of children and young people where their education is concerned.

Mental health professionals

Many children in foster care will have experienced loss and trauma. As such it is very common for children and young people to display signs of poor mental health. Foster carers need to support children in many ways from helping them to recognise and accept their feelings to reporting areas for concern that may be affecting carers’ ability to keep children safe and healthy. Carers may need to work with Mental Health agencies such as CAMHS or they may advocate for the child to have access to therapists or other professionals. Many carers at Eastern Fostering Services work closely with our therapist to understand how to therapeutically parent, to exchange ideas and techniques for managing mental health or to talk through their own struggles in managing some of the more difficult aspects of caring for a child or young person with mental health conditions.

Advocates or direct workers

Many Local Authorities offer an advocacy service for young people. These professionals will build a relationship with young people, understand their individual needs and desires and effectively be their voice with other professionals. They will visit regularly and usually take the young person out so that they can spend quality time together. Advocates are often very significant in the lives of young people in foster care; their impartiality and desire to represent the voice of the child faithfully means that they can really inspire openness and trust.

Similarly, direct workers, like Paul at Eastern Fostering Services play an important role in offering an additional person for children to spend time with and share any concerns. These professionals will have a varied remit from taking children out for treats, talking through problems, supervising contact, transporting to appointments and organising days out for the children in the fostering community.

Fostering provider Supervising Social Workers

These professionals are social workers employed by a fostering provider to support foster carers and their families. In reality, and certainly at Eastern Fostering Services, the role is much more in-depth. Often, they are the glue that holds all the relationships together as they communicate with all professionals to advocate for the carers and children they foster. They also play a major role in supporting the children and young people, regularly spending time with them and talking to them about anything that they may want to get off their chests. They will be present at all professionals’ meetings and will be able to represent the voice of the carers and children should they need to be reinforced. Supervising social workers contribute significantly to the longevity of fostering placements through the support and advocacy they offer. They meet regularly with carers and liaise with other professionals to ensure that the best interests of the children and young people are met.

Independent Reviewing Officers (IRO)

The role of the IRO is to scrutinise the care plans for the children and young people in foster care and to ensure they are being delivered faithfully. They will often host and lead review meetings and will ensure that all professionals are doing what is expected of them in order to deliver best practise for the children and young people concerned. They can require and ask for further action, input or change to make sure that the best outcomes are achieved. As the name suggests, they should be independent of the Local Authority and have as their focus the well-being of the child. Foster carers can escalate any concerns or issues to the IRO if they feel they are having an adverse effect on the child.

There may well be other professionals involved with delivering holistic care to children and young people. This community is varied and full of expert knowledge and skill. The relationships formed within the professional fostering community have a direct impact on the outcomes for children. As always, the foster carer is pivotal. It is no mean feat to manage and nurture these relationships to get the best out of them. Yet foster carers do this day by day in order to promote the needs and wishes of the children they foster.

We’d like to acknowledge and thank all the professionals who work so hard to ensure that a holistic package of care is provided to the children we foster, and we’d like to particularly thank our foster carers for getting the very best out of them!

If you would like to know more about fostering, you can contact us via our website, via Facebook, by email at team@easternfosteringservices.com or by phoning 01206 299775.

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In the UK, there are now more children than ever in need of foster carers. Children in Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire are no exception.

Our children need local foster carers who can keep them in education, in local communities and near to the people who are important to them.

Which children need foster carers?

There are children in every age group who are in need of a nurturing foster carer. From young sibling groups, teenagers, mother and babies, children with additional needs and unaccompanied children. The list goes on. By far the most typical children are sibling groups and young people between the ages of 10 to 16.

What does it take to foster?

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need qualifications to foster. We look for more general qualities such as empathy, warmth, resilience and passion. In fact, we produced a short film outlining the qualities foster carers should have. You can view the film here.

What are you waiting for?

It could be that you are the perfect match for a child in need. If you want to know more about fostering and you live in Essex, Suffolk or Cambridgeshire, call us on 01206 299775, email us at team@easternfosteringservices.com or follow us on Facebook.

Come and meet us!

You can come and meet the Eastern Fostering Services team and our carers at one of our fostering coffee mornings. Details of all events can be found on our Facebook page. And don’t forget we’ve put loads of information about fostering on our website, so do take a look.

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What is a fostering community?

A fostering community is any group of people or organisations that provide a wider network of support or encouragement to both foster carers and the children and young people they care for. We would argue that fostering communities can also be spontaneous, occurring during opportunities for carers and children to socialise and have fun.

Why are fostering communities important?

Fostering communities, in all their various guises are a crucial part of fostering. They offer foster carers and children invaluable support and encouragement. They are vital in ensuring that fostering relationships are maintained, that carers feel heard and supported and in helping children and young people to thrive. When it comes to fostering, nothing is done in isolation. As the adage goes, it takes a community to raise a child. This is certainly true for fostering. Whilst the main onus is on the foster carers, there are a whole number of people and professionals that can make a profound difference in the lives of the children and young people we care for. It is these people, organisations and opportunities that we wish to celebrate this Foster Care Fortnight.

Foster Care Fortnight and Fostering Communities!

Keep an eye out for us on Facebook and Instagram this May as we shine a light on fostering communities and express our gratitude for them. We’ll be giving you:

• Insight into the Eastern Fostering Services Fostering Community
• An understanding of the support that Eastern Fostering Services offers carers and the difference this can make in transforming lives
• Thoughts from our foster carers on what Fostering Communities mean to them
• Contributions from our children on what they love about being part of our fostering community
• A glimpse of the events that allow communities to form and expand
• A look at the Eastern Fostering Services team and what fostering, and community means to us
• A guide to the professional community that play such an important role in advocating for children and young people

As ever, if you are inspired to start your fostering journey this Foster Care Fortnight, please get in touch via our website, by email at team@easternfosteringservices.com or give us a call on 01206 299775.

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Why are weekly recordings needed?

Good and regular record keeping is important for many reasons:

• Regular recordings as to the progress of the child in many areas of their development allow professionals to identify and advocate for the needs of the child. They may allow fostering professionals to observe trends in behaviour, the emotional state of the child, strategies that are beneficial or ineffective, the impact of events at school or in terms of family contact. These observations should help shape and refine the care package that is offered to the child and can identify problems and areas for improvement. Good quality, prompt recordings can allow for powerful advocacy of children’s needs.
• Weekly recordings should capture any health concerns that might arise day to day. Having robust records can help identify health needs for children and means that carers and professionals can be responsive and proactive in ensuring children are physically healthy.
• In producing detailed and timely recordings, carers can ensure that they get appropriate support in managing some of the more challenging aspects of fostering. Understanding the emotional health of children and the challenges they present to carers, ensures that Supervising Social Workers can have open conversations with foster carers about strategies which might help. Carers and social workers can use the recordings to secure additional emotional or mental health support to support children when they need it.
• Recordings that log and celebrate the achievements of children and the progress they are making allow carers and professionals to acknowledge and praise children when they do well. Equally, children may wish to see their records at some stage in their life and it is important that they can see they were celebrated, noticed and praised for their achievements however big or small.
• Weekly records alert professionals when there are safeguarding issues for the children. Foster carers should alert professionals immediately if there are concerns around safeguarding. This may include online safety, bullying, issues arising during family contact, drug or alcohol use, disclosures of harm or abuse either present or historic, involvement with the police, instances where child or young person has been missing, criminal or sexual exploitation, significant changes in behaviour. Anything of concern should be reported by the foster carer as soon as it comes to light to ensure that children are kept safe immediately.
• Weekly recordings allow professionals to ensure that children have all their material needs catered to. Carers are required to note pocket money, savings and significant purchases they have made for the children.
• Good record keeping also helps carers to protect themselves. By recording in detail, each day carers can demonstrate a chain of evidence in the event that children make allegations against them. Whilst this happens very rarely, foster carers can take some steps to protect themselves by noting all and any incidents and recording what was said and done at the time. Any incidents where carers have had to de-escalate situations or if they have had to physically intervene must be recorded fully and immediately. Any accidents that happen should also be reported immediately as the fostering agency is required by law to report these.

What should foster carers expect to record?

Each fostering provider will have their own guidance in place as to what and how foster carers should record. Here at Eastern Fostering Services, we ask carers to consider the following areas relating to the care they are giving:

• Education. Foster carers should note how school or college is going. They should record the highlights and difficulties. If homework has been set, has it been completed? Is any extra support needed? If the child is not in education (e.g., due to illness, exclusion, etc) foster carers should detail and include date/s.
• Health. If there are health concerns, foster carers would need to record these and list actions they have taken. This should include GP, dentist, optician and other health appointments, accidents, illness, injuries and infectious diseases. If medication is prescribed/given, foster carers need to state name of medication and dosage amount given.
• Emotional and behavioural development. foster carers must record whether there are any behavioural difficulties, and the strategies they are using to manage them. Is the child showing signs of healthy emotional development or might extra support might be needed? There are robust processes in place to capture and examine any instances where physical intervention, e.g., restraint has been necessary.
• Identity. Foster carers need to consider how children feel about themselves.  Do you think they have good self-esteem? What might be affecting this? Are there any particular cultural needs or extra needs that have to be addressed?
• Family and Social Relationships. Some children in foster care can struggle with relationships so it’s a good measure of their progress and an important identifier of their needs to understand how they respond to family contact and how positive their peer relationships are.
• Social Skills and Involvement. Has the child been to any clubs or taken part in any interests or hobbies this week? Is there anything that they have expressed an interest in? It’s important to note any concerns that the foster carer has and what they might be able to do to help.
• Self-Care skills. An important role of the foster carer is to support children to develop life skills. Is the child able to do age-appropriate things for themselves? If not, how can the foster carer help them to develop?
• Personal Items. Foster carers should record what they have bought for the child: Clothes, toys, or personal items. How much pocket money did they get this week? How much savings were put aside this week? This ensures that carers are accountable for using the allowance they receive to respond to the material needs of the child.
• Safe Caring. Carers must record any child protection concerns they may have. Is it possible that the child is being bullied? Have there been any allegations made by the child or has anything happened or been said that concerns you as a foster carer?
• Carers also must record If a child/young person went missing/absconded/unauthorised absence, a serious offence by or against a child/young person or incident involving police to the home, and if a complaint is made by or concerning the child.

It sounds like foster carers are expected to do a lot! How do they remember everything?

One big advantage of producing detailed, positive and truthful records is that they allow foster carers time and space to reflect. Sometimes the very act of writing down what is happening can afford carers perspective on the situation and enable creativity in their strategies. It can also be therapeutic when things are tricky. Keeping records also allows foster carers to keep sight of progress and maintain positivity.

Many foster carers find that keeping a daily journal or diary helps them to remember everything and is used as a reference tool when writing up the weekly records. The daily journal can help the carers to note and process their own emotions and reactions to circumstances and is a valuable coping strategy. Whilst everything that is written in the daily journal won’t be appropriate for a record keeping on the child, it is a useful exercise for foster carers.

Striking the right tone.

Foster carers, like any other human, sometimes feel frustrated, angry, hurt and demotivated. It is really important that foster carers are able to separate and process their own feelings and reactions so that they can report professionally and factually.

Being self-aware and seeking support from your fostering team is important as it allows you to vent and process.

Before sitting down to write recordings, many foster carers find it useful to imagine their child reading them (which of course they may well one day want to). Recordings should be factual and observational and should not be peppered with personal opinion or judgements. Carers may well have an idea of what is behind behaviour and can express these opinions and strategies they are considering, after all they often know the child best. However, it is important that recordings are non-judgmental and well balanced.

For more information on what it takes to be a foster carer, we have lots of resources on our website. You can look us up on Facebook or contact us with your questions.

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To foster a child or children is a wonderful thing; not only are you providing love, care and support but you’re giving young people the chance to have a stable and enriched upbringing, something they may have been lacking previously. So what are the main responsibilities when it comes to fostering a child?

What does it mean to be a foster parent?

There are challenges with looking after and raising any child. When it comes to fostering, the first thing you need to provide is compassion and love; it sounds simple but we’re looking for people who can really help bring out the best in a child. You will, of course, receive training and support from Eastern Fostering Services on your journey but an open mind and an open heart is the most important thing.

Many children in the fostering system might not have had the same experiences as other children and this can be a wonderful and enriching part of your journey as you learn and explore together with the child. From baking cakes and cookies for the first time to taking them to the playground, or helping older children to learn independence skills, there are many activities you can do with your foster child that will open up possibilities for them. To allow a child to safely explore and flourish is what it really means to be a foster parent.

Personal stories

You might also be wondering what it’s like to be a foster parent. We have a multitude of carers who have happily shared their own stories about what it means to be a foster parent.

Jim recently spoke to us about fostering with Eastern Fostering Services.

“We’ve been with Eastern Fostering Services since we started fostering. What impressed me from the start was the pastoral care they give to foster parents. It’s not always easy to foster, but the staff are always on hand to give support and advice. They put the interests of the child first, of course, but in the context of supporting foster parents to give the best care possible in the prevailing circumstances. There’s always plenty of training. And if we’ve felt the need for any specialist help, Eastern Fostering Services have been there to provide it. We’ve also benefited from a great network with other carers in the area which Eastern Fostering Services is instrumental in supporting. Finally, they have supported our wider family, including our children, and I think that has helped us make a success of fostering (so far).”

You can read more of our personal fostering stories and meet our community here.

Do I have what it takes to be a foster parent?

There are questions you’ll need to ask yourself about whether you have what it takes to be a foster parent and whether it’s right for you.

• Are you a patient person? It sounds simple but patience is key when it comes to foster parenting as you explore and experience different challenges. Whether it be the perils of getting your head around maths homework (we’ve all been there) to dealing with a long term health condition, being able to stay cool and calm under pressure while showing unwavering love is a necessity.

• Do you have a solid support network around you? From friends to family and even colleagues, the fostering process isn’t something anyone should go through alone. As well as support from us, we’d suggest you have a strong support network on hand who can share the highs and lows with you. An understanding workplace is a must as you take leave to adapt to a life with a child and all its tribulations to family who can rally around and help blow up balloons and make delicious cakes to celebrate a child’s birthday. And any parent is allowed to let off steam so make sure you’ve got a best friend on hand to encourage and cheer you on along the way.

• Can you deal with difficult subjects including child abuse, sexual exploitation and emotional abuse? As a foster parent you’ll be dealing with children from all sorts of different backgrounds so it’s important you get to grips with a range of subjects, all with our support of course. Children you take on may have experienced abuse at the hands of their parents or other people close to them and it’s important you can talk openly and honestly about heavy subjects. Many children may still be feeling the burden of abuse and/or exploitation, and will do for the rest of their lives. Remember, though, you are never alone in this and you can always contact us with any questions or concerns.

• Are you resilient? Resilience comes in many forms, it’s just about finding your balance and where your strengths lie. For example, resilience to you may look like being able to keep calm and carry on as the saying goes, or it may look like never missing reading a child a bedtime story no matter how much work you’ve got on.

• Could you open up your home and your heart to a child who needs you? Opening up your world to include a child or children in an inclusive space is so important to the fostering process. While we’re not expecting you to turn your home into a fully fledged two storey nursery, it’s important you’re willing to create a cosy space full of love.
• Do you have a deep-rooted desire to make a positive difference in the lives of children? This is the most important thing. You’re dealing with children who may have had difficult backgrounds and never experienced a positive role model in their lives- this is where you step in. From your work ethic to the way you express love and the every day details that make up the tapestry of care you’re offering, you need to have a desire to leave a lasting impression.

One final thing…

The most important thing about being a foster parent is that you can give yourself wholeheartedly to fostering. After all, the best thing about fostering is the relationship and bond between you and the child which offers them a secure base from which to thrive. If you want more information, there’s a plethora on our website or you can contact us via Facebook to find out more.

The post What Does It Mean To Be A Foster Parent? appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

What is ASD?

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, which is characterised by difficulties with social interaction and communication and often includes repetitive behaviours. However, because autism is a spectrum condition it affects children in different ways. So, whilst some children will need intensive support others may just need clearer communication and a little longer to do things.

Whilst no two children with autism are the same, there are some common characteristics including –

• Difficulty reading other people, recognising their feelings and intentions and difficulty in expressing emotions.
• The need for routines so they know what is going to happen next.
• Over or under sensitivity to sounds, light, temperature, tastes or smells which can be overwhelming and sometimes lead to sensory overload.
• Highly focussed interests and hobbies which can be pleasurable but may also lead to neglecting other areas of life.
• Suffering with anxiety which can, in some cases, lead to meltdowns involving tantrums or complete withdrawal.

Fostering considerations

The world can sometimes seem confusing for children with autism. For those coming into foster care, a sudden change of environment and routine can be extremely scary and distressing. It’s important that foster carers get as much information as possible from social workers about the child’s routines, likes and dislikes and any known triggers for behaviours. This will help the child feel comfortable and secure in their environment. Any sudden changes of routine can lead to heightened anxiety and should be avoided if possible. Moreover, it can be comforting for children to be allowed to keep their familiar belongings close. Foster carers need to get to know the child but also need to accept that this may take time and patience.

Could I foster a child with ASD?

Whilst prior experience of caring for a child with additional needs is advantageous, it is not compulsory. The main qualities needed for caring for children with ASD are:

• the ability to nurture
• patience
• empathy
• understanding
• resilience
• time to commit.

 A child with a disability is a child first and foremost and even small achievements can be celebrated!

If you foster a child with ASD you will not be alone. We work closely with our foster carers to provide specialist support, training and access to therapists. So, if you feel you could help support a child with ASD get in touch by contacting us on 01206 299775, email us at team@easternfosteringservices.com, message us on Facebook or contact us via our website where you will also find lots of useful information and resources.

The post Could you foster a child with Autism? appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

Do you have other questions about fostering? You can put your questions to us by emailing us at team@easternfosteringservices.com, message us on Facebook, call us on 01206 299775. You can also contact us via our website.

The post Can I foster if I…? appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

Do you have other questions about fostering? You can put your questions to us by emailing us at team@easternfosteringservices.com, message us on Facebook, call us on 01206 299775. You can also contact us via our website.

The post Can I foster if I… appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

The age guidelines for fostering state that a foster carer needs to be above the age of 21, these guidelines tend to be set by individual fostering providers so it is always worth checking. It’s important to know that there are actually no legal limits set on age, so in theory anyone over the age of 18 can foster. There is no upper age limit for fostering.

When assessing people’s capacity to foster, what is more important than age is the life experience that a propsective foster carer can bring to the table. If a fostering provider rejects an application to foster from a young adult over the age of 18, they need to explain and justfy their reasons for doing so.

I’m over 60; is that not too old to foster?

There are many amazing foster carers who fall into the 60-70 year-old age group. Foster carers who are older have a wealth of experience and can offer so much to a child. What’s more, children and young people often relate and respond to older carers very well. Many children and young people tell us that some of the most important and positive relationships in their lives have been with grandparents, and this can set the process of bonding and trust-building off to an excellent start for child and carer alike.

Numbers don’t interest us, you do!

As long as you’re fit, healthy and have the physical and emotional capacity to foster, we really don’t mind how old you are.

We’re far more interested in how you could make a difference in the life of a child. In short, we’re more interested in your experiences, skills and personal qualities than we are in the number of years it took you to gain them.

What are the qualities you look for in foster carers?

We know that the children who come through our door are a varied group. They are all shapes and sizes. They come from all backgrounds. They have all manner of emotional, educational, physical and spiritual needs. They have their own likes and dislikes. They have a whole range of talents and potential. Why should our foster carers be any different?

We need a variety of carers from all genders, ethnicities, religions, and sexuality. We need this variety in order to be able to make the best matches for the diverse children we care for. Matching children and foster carers well gives the fostering relationship the best opportunity of flourishing which brings positive outcomes for the children and rewarding fostering to the carers.

The best carers are those who are able to provide attuned care to children and young people. This requires a high degree of emotional intelligence, empathy, warmth and commitment. A foster carer needs to be able to put themselves snugly in the shoes of the children they are caring for.

Foster carers have to work with a range of professionals who are there to support the child. Therefore it is critical that foster carers are able to communicate and work well with others. Having experience of working as part of a team is useful in this regard. Communication is central to fostering, not just with professionals but with the children themselves.

Having experience of caring for or working with children is another very useful quality to have. It may be that you have raised your own children, step children or been involved with your grandchildren. It may be that you work with children in your professional life or as a volunteer.

But without doubt the most important thing we look for in a foster carer is authenticity. You must have a sincere and deep-rooted desire to positively change the life of a child. To be that person who stands by them and supports them, who advocates for them and who understands them. Without this desire, fostering will be very difficult to sustain (and also the children will sniff you out immediately!).

So, you see, it’s really not about age at all. Fostering is about who you are, what you bring and why.

If you’d like to foster and wish to talk to us further, you can contact us via our website, Facebook page or email at team@easternfosteringservices.com You can also check out some of our short videos on YouTube which cover some of the many questions we get asked about fostering.

If you would like to speak to us, you can call us on 01206 299775.

The post Am I too old to foster? appeared first on Eastern Fostering Services.

Foster carers need a lot of support from their fostering provider in order to confidently and successfully carry out the enormous task we ask of them. As a fostering agency, we do not pursue existing foster carers, however we are sometimes approached by carers who are looking to transfer foster agencies.

By far the most common reason people tell us they want to transfer foster agencies is that they do not feel well supported by their current provider. In these circumstances, we feel it is really important that foster carers make the right choices about who to transfer to. In addition to this, foster carers need to know what they can expect and what the obligations of the fostering providers are.

Transfer of foster agencies: The process at a glance

• Do your research – find out who your local providers are
• Meet prospective foster agencies and ask to speak to some of their carers
• Communicate your intention to transfer to your existing agency
• Attend transfer of foster agency protocol meeting
• Agree a transfer completion date with your new agency
• Transfer should be completed between 1 and 3 months depending on whether or not you are caring for children currently and in line with the timings that have been agreed according to your notice period.

How do I choose which fostering provider to go to?

If you are feeling poorly supported by your current fostering provider, you need reassurance that the new agency will provide the best service. Therefore, we have given you tips to help you get it right if you want to transfer foster agencies:

• Make a list of the fostering providers in your area. The Fostering Network has a facility that will enable you to see local providers
• Contact each agency and make initial phone or email contact
• If you like the sound of them from this first contact, arrange a face to face visit
• Note down what is important to you as a foster carer and ask the agency how they will respond to your needs
• Ask them if they can put you in touch with one or more of their carers so that you can ask them their experiences of the agency

What do I tell my current fostering provider?

Once you have made the decision to transfer foster agencies, you need to write to them to inform them of your intention to transfer. It is worth noting that you are not handing your notice in at this stage.

You are not allowed to be a registered carer with more than one fostering provider at the same time. Equally if you resign before you have transferred, you risk being deregistered as a foster carer. Therefore, we make sure we correctly advise you along the way. Usually we will give you a panel date and advise you to hand your notice in to coincide with the panel paperwork all being signed off.

Eastern Fostering Services will advise you of each step you need to take and when. We will provide you with the correct legal wording and ensure your protection. Moreover we will ensure that we do things according to protocol.

The Fostering Network have produced a comprehensive guide to the Transfer Protocol which we would suggest you read.

What responsibilities do agencies have towards me and the child I’m fostering?

If you have a child in placement with you, you can transfer foster agency without losing your child(ren). A protocol meeting will take place to agree timescales and any practical actions that need to take place. Present will be you, the Local Authority, your current fostering provider and the provider to whom you are transferring. The Local Authority will want to know that the agency you are moving to will be able to support you and that they will not compromise the care of the child.

The provider you will be moving from has a responsibility to share your information with your chosen provider. We will ask them for your original form F and other documentation submitted at the time of your approval with them. In addition to this, we will ask for your annual reviews.

Your new provider has a responsibility to ensure the continuity of care for the child. Additionally, they will need to ensure that they meet the timeframes you have agreed.

What about my fostering allowance?

Your new fostering provider will do their best to match the payment you have been receiving for the child you are fostering. This is because the Local Authority will not change the amount they are paying for your care of the child. You might discuss this at the protocol meeting. However, the detail you will cover in conversation between you and your new fostering provider.

How long will it take to transfer?

The time it takes to transfer will depend on how quickly your current agency provides information to the new agency and whether you have children in placement with you. Typically, however, we would expect to complete the process in between 1 to 3 months.

Rather than starting the fostering assessment from scratch, we will do an update. This will focus on what has happened since your original approval. It will take into account any major changes to your life circumstances and your experiences of fostering.

What do carers who have transferred to us have to say?

“We transferred to Eastern Fostering Services because we felt our old agency wasn’t advocating for us or the children we care for. We didn’t take the decision lightly and tried to make it work with our old agency. Sadly, to no avail. We are so glad that we made the decision to move. Eastern Fostering Services have given us such great support and have not been afraid to fight our corner in difficult discussions. They have taken the time to understand our needs and those of the children we foster.”

They have taken the time to understand our needs and those of the children we foster

“Our agency shut one of their local offices but still expected us to travel a long distance for training. Our support fell away and we were left feeling isolated and unsupported. Since moving to Eastern Fostering Services, we have felt part of a close community of carers and have been supported in many tricky situations. We have successfully cared for some lovely children and are looking forward to welcoming more children very soon.”

we have felt part of a close community of carers and have been supported in many tricky situations

Find out more about what our carers have to say about us.

 I want to transfer to Eastern Fostering Services. What should I do?

If you’d like to speak to us about transferring, you can call us on 01206 299775 or email us at team@easternfosteringservices.com.

Alternatively, you can messsage us on the website at www.easternfosteringservices.com

We hold frequent events and coffee mornings so it is worth checking out our facebook events page for more information.

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