Change Fostering Agency
We understand that considering a change in foster agencies can be a tough decision, but we’re here to assure you that, at Family Care, you’ll find a supportive and caring community that puts the needs of our foster families and children first.
We make transferring foster agencies easy and stress-free!
We understand that changing foster agencies can be a big deal, and we’re here to help you every step of the way!
Whether you have children in your home or not, we’ve laid out the basic procedure for transferring foster agencies, so you have all the information you need to make the best decision for you and your family.Why You Might Want To Transfer Foster Agency
At Family Care, we are committed to providing our foster carers with exceptional levels of support. As a minimum, each of our foster carers is assigned their own supervising social worker who will visit them at least once a month, and more frequently if required, and access to expert therapists.
We understand that fostering can be challenging at times, which is why we provide our carers with direct access to their supervising social worker via telephone. Additionally, our team manager is always available to provide support and guidance whenever you need it.
We also provide an Out of Hours service that operates every hour of the night, weekends and holidays, so you are never alone in your fostering journey.
When you become a foster carer with Family Care, you’ll have access to foster carer support groups.
We understand that becoming a foster carer can be challenging at times. That’s why we have created support groups to ensure our foster carers have someone to speak to on a personal level. Our ‘Carer Reps’ are foster carers with Family Care who regularly host support groups. These are known as ‘Pods’.
In these sessions, you are able to talk with like-minded people, as well as raise any queries’ you have. Your Carer Rep will take these questions to management for them to be answered and reported back to you.
There’s an urgent need for foster carers in the Northwest and the Midlands (these are the regions we cover), and at Family Care we have plenty of opportunities available for both new and experienced carers. With us, you’ll have access to round-the-clock support, expert therapists, and dedicated child support workers. Plus, you’ll receive a competitive fostering allowance. So if you’re looking to make a real difference in a child’s life, fostering with Family Care is the way to go.
At Family Care, we believe that our amazing carers deserve to be compensated fairly for their important work.
That’s why we offer a combination of a ‘boarding-out’ fee, which is based on the government’s national minimum rates (between £154 – £233 per week), and a professional fee.
This means our foster carers can earn between £407 – £750 per week, depending on the age and needs of the young person they care for and the type of fostering provided.
What about changing foster agency with a child in the foster home?
After you’ve spoken with your potential new agency and they’ve completed a home visit, the next step is to inform your current fostering service and the relevant placing authority in writing that you’re considering a move. This is called a ‘notice of intent to resign’, and it’s an important part of the process.
Once your notice has been received, your new agency can start their assessment, and the placing authority will let the child’s Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) know of the intended change. They’ll also set up a transfer-protocol meeting within 28 days to ensure a smooth transition for the child.
What about changing foster agency without a child in the foster home?
At Family Care, we understand that moving to a new fostering agency can be unsettling, but we’re here to help make it a smooth process. You’ll need to submit a ‘notice of intent to resign’ to your current agency in writing, and once you’re approved by us, you’ll need to give written notice of resignation to your current service. Approval with your current agency will terminate 28 days after submission.
We’re committed to supporting you every step of the way, and we encourage you to compare the support we offer with your current agency. If you have any questions or need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team.
What to expect when you transfer to Family Care:
Regular Placement Opportunties
Exceptional Training and Development
Rewards and benefits for our foster carers:
In return for your hard work and dedication to making a difference to children’s lives, we offer a number of benefits and rewards to our foster carers.
Two-weeks of annual leave:
As a thank you for your hard work, you’ll receive up to two-weeks of annual leave entitlement (pro-rata) every year. We want to ensure that our foster carers feel valued and supported as they provide the love and care that our children need to thrive. – this is only for when a child is in placement.
Refer a friend scheme:
Do you know someone who would make a fantastic foster carer and is ready to make a life changing difference? Whether you are a foster carer or not, you can receive a payment of £1,500 if someone you refer successfully becomes a foster carer with Family Care.
Foster carer long service rewards:
As recognition for your hard work and dedication to Family Care, you will receive rewards every 5, 10 and 15 years. We understand how hard our foster carers work and we want to show our appreciation whenever we can! See the rewards you are entitled to below:
- 5 years receive £250
- 10 years receive £375
- 15 years receive £500
24/7 support from a Supervising Social Worker (SSW):
At Family Care, you will always have access to a Duty Supervising Social Worker. This support is available to you 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. Should you ever need help or support (whatever time of the day), our Duty Social Worker will be on-hand to provide help and assistance to you.
Support groups with fellow foster carers:
At Family Care, we understand that becoming a foster carer can be challenging at times. That’s why we have created support groups to ensure our foster carers have someone to speak to on a personal level. Our ‘Carer Reps’ are foster carers with Family Care who regularly host support groups. These are known as ‘Pods’.
In these sessions, you are able to talk with like-minded people, as well as raise any queries’ you have. Your Carer Rep will take these questions to management for them to be answered and reported back to you.
Gain Level 3 Diploma for the Children & Young People’s Workforce qualification:
Family Care is also an Approved Centre for City & Guilds, and we offer a number of Diploma options for our Foster Carers, fully funded by Family Care. The first step is for you to gain your Level 3 Diploma for the Children & Young People’s Workforce. This can be started after your first Annual Review with the support of your Supervising Social Worker. You may then progress to the Level 5 Diploma or qualify as an Assessor to assist other candidates with their qualifications.
Our commitment to child-centred transfer protocols
Our agency follows the transfer protocol, which is designed to put the best interests of the child first.
The protocol is reviewed and revised regularly, and is supported by the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS). Our commitment to child-centred care planning and decision-making means that we prioritise the well-being of the children above financial factors.
We believe that every child deserves to be protected from moves that could harm their well-being. So, if you’re considering a move to our agency, rest assured that we’ll ensure it’s done with the utmost care and consideration for the children in your care.
Come join us for a coffee
We host regular events where you can come join us for a coffee and ask any questions you have.
This is an informal meet-up for you to meet the fostering team!
