Foster care is a vital system that provides temporary homes and support for children in need. Foster parents are crucial in nurturing and caring for these vulnerable children. However, there are instances where foster parents may find it necessary to change foster care agencies for various reasons.
Whether you are dissatisfied with your current agency’s services or seeking a better match for your skills and preferences, this blog will guide you through the process of changing foster care agencies smoothly and responsibly.
Evaluate Your Reasons
Considering a change in foster care agencies? Take a moment to carefully evaluate your reasons. Here are a few factors to consider:
Inadequate support: Feeling unsupported and lacking the necessary resources to effectively care for the child.
Poor communication: Dealing with an agency that is unresponsive or fails to quickly communicate important information.
Mismatched child placements: Believing that your skills or family dynamic would be better suited for a different age group or specific needs.
Relocation: If you’re moving, it may be practical and convenient to switch to a closer agency.
Personal values: Your values may align better with a different agency’s mission and approach to foster care.
The right agency will provide you with top-notch training, extensive support, generous allowance, amazing benefits, valuable experience, and efficient tax support. Essentially, they should take care of all your needs for a seamless and fulfilling journey.
Research Agencies
After determining the reasons behind your decision, it’s time to explore other foster care agencies in your locality. Seek out agencies that have a solid reputation, receive positive feedback from foster parents, and prioritise the well-being of children and their families. Don’t hesitate to attend informational sessions or open houses to gain a deeper understanding of each agency’s policies, procedures, and the resources they offer.
Gather Information and Reviews
Get valuable feedback from current and former foster parents who have been associated with the agencies you are considering. Join Online forums, social media groups, and foster parent support networks to gather insights into their experiences. While each person’s experience may differ, this information will give you a good idea of the overall satisfaction of foster parents within each agency.
Review the Licensing Process
Prepare for a seamless transition by familiarising yourself with the specific requirements and procedures for transferring your license. Make sure you have all the necessary documentation, background checks, and training certifications in order.
Make a Well-Informed Decision
Take the time to consider all the information you’ve gathered, the conversations you’ve had with different agencies, and your own needs and values. Find an agency that truly understands and supports your goals as a foster parent. Look for one that will provide all the resources and assistance you need to thrive in this rewarding journey.
The ideal agency will offer you excellent training, comprehensive assistance, a generous allowance, fantastic perks, valuable learning opportunities, and effective tax support. In essence, they should cater to all your requirements to ensure a smooth and rewarding journey. Here are some examples of what Family Care can offer-
Training
Fostering demands more than just “good enough” parenting, and our training reflects that.
Family Care’s extensive training includes both online and in-person courses, equipping you with essential skills to effectively support young individuals. The training calendar, released every November, lets you plan ahead and choose the courses that suit your needs.
You’ll also collaborate with your Supervising Social Worker to create a tailored Carer Development Plan for the coming year.
Support
Providing assistance to foster caregivers plays a pivotal role in achieving the best results for a young person. Family Care’s commitment to aiding our foster parents is a source of great pride for us. For routine requirements, your supervising social worker will serve as your primary contact within the fostering team. Alongside this, there will be occasions when you require assistance from our therapists or support services team. We are always on hand to provide the support you need.
Allowance
Family Care value and compensate our foster carers for their incredible work. Our allowance is divided into two parts: the boarding-out fee, which covers daily costs following government rates, including activities, education, health appointments, and more, and the professional fee, reflecting carer skills and experience across three levels.
Advancement is possible through our funded training, including a Level 3 Diploma for Children’s and Young People’s Workforce. Plus, you’ll receive up to two weeks of annual leave as a gesture of gratitude for your dedication. We prioritise your support and recognition to enable the nurturing care our children need to thrive.
Benefits and Experience
As a foster carer, you can receive payments from your local council, voluntary or private organizations without altering your benefit amount. Nevertheless, if payments come from another source, it’s crucial to consult with your benefits provider to determine potential impacts. Note that benefits like Jobseeker’s allowance, income support, and employment and support allowances might be influenced. Family Care will support you all the way through.
For personalised guidance, contact your benefits provider’s advisor, or refer to the gov.uk website. You will also find additional details on the website, and we suggest connecting with an advisor for direct assistance.
Tax Support
You have the opportunity to enjoy a consistent tax exemption of £10,000 annually, evenly distributed among approved carers within the household. Additionally, you’ll receive tax relief for each week you care for a child. For children under 11, the relief amounts to £200/week, while for those over 11, it’s £250/week.
It’s important to note that you should register as self-employed and fulfil income tax and national insurance obligations. To simplify this process, Family Care provides Foster Talk membership for valuable accountancy and tax guidance.
Contact Potential Agencies
Get in touch with the foster care agencies that catch your interest and arrange meetings with their representatives. These meetings will provide the perfect opportunity to address any queries or worries you may have. Take the opportunity to find out about the agency’s training programs, support services, caseloads, and how they go about matching foster children with families. Jot down important points during these discussions so you can effectively compare and contrast the various agencies.
Changing foster agency with a child in the foster home
Switching foster agencies while a child is under your care is a significant decision that requires thoughtful consideration. To assist you in navigating this process, we have outlined some essential steps for you to follow.
Consider the Child’s Needs
Prioritise the well-being of the child in your care when considering a change. Assess how the change may impact their emotional state, their attachment to their foster home, and their relationships with key individuals involved in their care.
Consult with Professionals
If the child is undergoing therapy or counselling, consult with their therapist to gain valuable insights into the potential effects of the transition on their emotional and mental well-being.
Involve Current Agency
If possible, involve the current foster agency in discussions about the change. They may be able to address concerns and provide additional support to ensure a smooth transition. Open communication is crucial.
Legal and Administrative Considerations
Be aware of any legal requirements in your jurisdiction regarding changing foster agencies. Familiarise yourself with the paperwork and administrative processes involved and fulfil all necessary obligations.
Prepare the Child
If you decide to proceed with the change, communicate the decision to the child in a sensitive and appropriate manner. Reassure them that their well-being is a priority and that the decision was made with their best interests in mind.
Transition Plan
Collaborate with both the current and new agencies to create a detailed transition plan for the child. This plan should include steps such as introducing them to new caseworkers, explaining the changes, and addressing any concerns.
Monitor and Support
Throughout the transition, closely monitor the child’s adjustment to their new agency. Offer them emotional support and create opportunities for them to express their feelings about the change. Their well-being remains paramount.
Begin the Transition Process
Making the transition to a new foster care agency is a big decision, and it’s essential to handle it carefully and responsibly. Evaluate your reasons for the change, thoroughly research, and communicate openly. This will help you find an agency that aligns with your values and offers the support you need to care for foster children.
Could You Foster?
The shortage of foster carers in the UK greatly affects vulnerable children.
This can result in children being placed far from their loved ones and being separated from their siblings, as well as their school and friends.
Did you know that historically, 70-80% of foster placements have been within 20 miles of the child’s home? While this is beneficial for many children who can maintain their school and friendship groups, it also means that 20-30% of placements are further away.
For children coming to live with our foster families at an average age of 10, a change of school is often inevitable. However, we are dedicated to finding families in local areas with high demand to
minimise disruptions.
If you live in the Northwest or the Midlands and are interested in exploring becoming a foster carer, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Read about our application process here.
Get in touch with us by completing our short inquiry form online, or call us at 0800 5 677677.
There is no obligation for anything more than a chat.
Start Your Fostering Journey Today
Keep in mind that your role as a foster parent is incredibly valuable, and your dedication to the well-being of these children will make a lasting impact on their lives. At Family Care, we’re here to support you every step of the way, where you’ll find a supportive and caring community that puts the needs of our foster families and children first.