This procedure must be read alongside the Assessment of New Partners, Family Members within Fostering Households Policy and Procedure.
From time to time, Foster Carers’ Form F assessments will need to be updated, or a re-assessment may be required. There are several reasons for this, but any such decision should always be discussed, explained, and agreed collaboratively with the Team Manager to ensure understanding, transparency, and emotional safety for all involved.
Purpose and Trauma-Informed Context
Form F updates and re-assessments are not simply administrative tasks. They can have an emotional impact on carers and their families. Supervising Social Workers (SSWs) should approach all updates and re-assessments with empathy, respect, and clear communication, recognising that changes in household composition or personal circumstances can be sensitive and potentially distressing.
Carers should feel supported throughout this process, and communication should emphasise partnership and shared responsibility for maintaining a safe, nurturing environment for children.
When Updates or Re-Assessments are Required
Form F updates may be required due to significant changes in the household composition (e.g., divorce, bereavement, or other life events). They may also be recommended by the Fostering Panel following a significant event or review.
A Re-Assessment may be required when a new partner moves into the home or when a single carer marries.
Approved Foster Carers must understand their responsibility to notify their SSW as early as possible before any significant household changes occur, or where there are any changes in circumstances that could affect fostering.
When discussing these notifications, the SSW should:
- Approach conversations with curiosity and sensitivity, ensuring carers feel heard and respected.
- Emphasise that updates and re-assessments are standard safeguarding measures, not judgments of their care.
- Provide emotional reassurance and practical guidance throughout the process.
Updating the Form F
In the event of a significant event or change:
- Update the Form F clearly, using bold font for any sections that have been amended.
- Ensure that removed or changed information (for example, when a partner has passed away) is handled respectfully and in consultation with the carer.
- Use language in the assessment that is compassionate, accurate, and avoids unnecessary repetition of potentially distressing details.
When a New Partner Moves into the Household
If a person moves into the home and wishes to be approved as a joint Foster Carer:
- Assess the new partner for approval as a Foster Carer. The existing Foster Carer remains approved during this process until a new assessment as joint applicants has been completed and approved.
- The joint assessment will be managed as a new assessment following all fostering regulations and processes, ensuring the assessment is collaborative, fair, and reflective of both applicants’ strengths and needs.
The new partner’s assessment must cover all areas required by fostering regulations, including:
- Family history, previous relationships, education, employment, and personal attributes.
- The new relationship, including how the couple manage shared living and joint fostering responsibilities.
- How often the new partner is in the family home and their role in decision-making about the child’s day-to-day care.
- Compatibility of parenting styles and how differences are managed.
- How the couple cope with stress and maintain mutual support.
- Any children of the new partner and how their presence or visits may affect the household.
- Relevant information from ex-partner references, if applicable.
- The impact of the new relationship on children already in placement, and the quality of those relationships.
- Confidentiality, boundaries, and safer caring practices.
- The voice of the child — ensuring children’s feelings about the new household member are heard and recorded.
- The new partner’s role in school runs or household tasks, and clarity on their responsibilities.
- Required training (e.g., safeguarding, safer caring).
- Any plans to move to a new property.
Throughout the process, the SSW should maintain a strengths-based perspective, focusing on how the household adapts, supports one another, and maintains safety and consistency for children.
Review of Existing Foster Carer
A review of the existing Foster Carer must take place prior to Stage 4 of the new partner’s assessment.
This review should:
- Reflect how the new relationship has evolved and its impact on the fostering environment.
- Include observations, checks, and reflections to date.
- Continue to recommend the existing foster carer’s ongoing approval.
This ensures the review remains within the 12-month regulatory period and supports consistency of approval.
Engagement with Children
During any changes in household composition, the SSW must:
- Speak directly with the child(ren) already placed, in a supportive and age-appropriate way, to understand their feelings.
- Ensure their views are included sensitively in the assessment process.
- Reassure them that their safety, voice, and stability are central to the agency’s decisions.
Communication with Placing Authority
The SSW must inform the placing Local Authority about the new relationship and planned assessment. This must be done in a clear, timely, and collaborative way.
Safety and Risk Management
While the joint assessment is ongoing:
- The Safe Care Plan must be updated to include the new partner as a regular visitor.
- If a DBS check is not yet available, the new partner must not be left unsupervised with children.
- A risk assessment must be completed for the new partner until the assessment is approved by the Fostering Panel.
- The new partner should complete all mandatory training, including safeguarding and safer caring.
- The SSW should complete additional unannounced visits to support and monitor the household’s adjustment.
Timescale
The agency will aim to complete the updated or joint Form F assessment within 6 months of the new partner moving into the household.
Panel Presentation
All updated Form F assessments and re-assessments must be presented to the Fostering Panel for review and approval, ensuring that carers are fully prepared, supported, and informed before attendance.
