When a Foster Carer informs a Supervising Social Worker (SSW) or any other Positive Aspirations (PA) employee of their wish to resign or move to another fostering service, the Team Manager (TM) for that Foster Carer should be alerted immediately.
This situation should be approached with curiosity, empathy, and respect, recognising that transitions and endings can evoke a range of emotions for both Foster Carers and staff. Every effort should be made to understand the Foster Carer’s reasons for wishing to leave, exploring these collaboratively in a supportive and non-judgemental way. The aim is to identify whether there are actions or changes the agency can make to address their concerns or help them remain, if appropriate and in the best interests of children placed.
Support Services must be informed at the earliest opportunity to ensure that all necessary administrative and support processes are coordinated smoothly.
Procedure Where There is No Child in Placement
- The Foster Carer will be required to send their resignation in writing, either by email or by post.
- Foster Carers are required to give a minimum of 28 days’ notice.
- The SSW should offer a reflective discussion or exit meeting to enable the Foster Carer to express their views and experiences of working with PA. This conversation should focus on learning, mutual respect, and closure, ensuring that the Foster Carer feels heard and valued for their contribution.
Procedure Where There is a Child in Placement
Where there is a child (or children) in placement, Foster Carers must give written notice of their intention to consider moving to another agency.
It is important that Foster Carers do not submit an immediate resignation, as their approval will automatically lapse after 28 days, and the child in placement would need to move to another approved family. Once a resignation is formally submitted, it cannot be rescinded.
This process should be explained clearly and calmly to the Foster Carer, helping them understand the implications for the child’s stability and well-being. The tone of all communication should remain supportive and focused on the child’s best interests.
Upon receipt of the written intention notice, the SSW must inform:
- The placing Local Authority (LA) of the child in placement.
- Referral and Placement Team (RAPT).
- The PA Team Manager (TM) or Registered Manager (RM).
Reference Requests
- Any requests for references from the recruiting service must be sent to the Regulatory Compliance Lead for completion.
- The SSW should inform the Foster Carer that references are completed in line with regulatory standards, ensuring transparency about the process.
Protocol Meeting
A protocol meeting should be initiated by the Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) or Local Authority (LA) that the Foster Carer is transferring to, within 28 days.
The meeting should invite:
- The child’s social worker.
- Positive Aspirations (SSW, TM, RAPT).
- The recruiting fostering service.
- The Foster Carer/s.
This meeting should take a collaborative and child-centred approach, ensuring that the needs of all children and the Foster Carer’s circumstances are considered with sensitivity.
The meeting should consider:
- Any decisions made during the child’s latest Case Review, particularly regarding whether it is in their best interests to continue in their current placement and how their care plan will continue to be implemented.
- How the move to another service may affect each child in placement, including the potential emotional impact, loss, or change in relationships, activities, and support systems developed through PA.
- The arrangements for approval by the recruiting service and termination of the Foster Carer’s approval by PA.
- Coordination of arrangements to ensure continuity of approval, with transfers made on a mutually agreed date to reduce disruption for the child and carer.
- Parallel arrangements for timing a transfer of responsibility for the payment of fees and allowances.
- Finance must be informed by the SSW/TM of the last day the Foster Carer will be paid by PA, as this will also be the last day PA invoices the LA.
Transfer and Resignation Process
Once the fostering panel of the recruiting fostering service has made its recommendation and indicated that it is ready to approve the Foster Carer, the Foster Carer should submit their formal resignation to PA.
The decision maker of the recruiting service may confirm approval on a specific date in the future, ideally coinciding with the termination of the existing approval at the expiry of the 28-day notice period.
- It should be clearly and compassionately explained to the Foster Carer that until that date, they remain approved solely by PA.
- Alternatively, the recruiting service’s decision maker may delay their decision until the date of termination of existing approval.
Ongoing Support During Transfer
While the recruiting service completes its assessment, it is vital that the SSW maintains a consistent, professional, and supportive relationship with the Foster Carer and their family.
- All required visits, tasks, and welfare checks must continue within the usual timescales, particularly if there are children in placement.
- If the household annual review is due during this time, it must still be completed within the required timescale, as the length and outcome of the recruiting service’s assessment cannot be anticipated.
- The SSW should continue to offer emotional support, recognising that transitions can create uncertainty or stress for both carers and children.
- Communication throughout should remain transparent, strengths-based, and focused on collaboration and mutual respect.
