Transferring from other fostering services
Finding the best foster care agency isn’t easy and often requires a lot of time and patience. However, at Match, we fully support the right of foster parents in the UK to transfer agency, as set out under formal transferring protocol documents.
As a family-owned agency, we aren’t actively looking to grow. Our goal is not to pinch parents from local foster care agencies. However, if you want to transfer fostering agency, we can help.
How to transfer foster agency
The first thing you will need to do if you want to transfer fostering agencies is to contact your prospective agency.
If you are looking to join us here at Match Foster Care, you can call us on 01905 770 500 or enter your details into our contact form.
From there, a member of our team will get back to you to discuss your application.
If you decide to move ahead with your application, we’ll arrange to meet you in person.
A member of the Match Foster Care team will visit you at home to learn more about you and your current experience as a foster parent. This is also a great opportunity for you to ask us any questions.
As an existing foster parent, you will be familiar with the fostering application and assessment process.
When you want to transfer to a different agency, you will need to complete a fresh application. This includes completing a new Form F assessment. However, with your prior experience, you should find each stage easier to complete.
During this time, you will also need to notify your current agency about your intentions to transfer.
Once your Form F is ready, we can then invite you to meet with our panel so that your assessment can be reviewed.
Based on their findings, the panel will then make their recommendations about your suitability to continue as a foster parent. This information will be sent to a decision maker to make an independent decision.
Once all the application and assessment stages are completed, you will be ready to transfer to Match Foster Care and start your fostering placements with us. This is provided that you have formally resigned from your previous fostering agency and completed any required notice periods.
Our team will warmly welcome you and, most importantly, continue to support you for as long as you are a foster parent with our agency.
Fostering Payment
Foster carers are entitled to a fostering allowance, and this remains the case if you transfer agencies. The only thing to note is that if you are moving from another area, or wish to change the type of fostering you do, the amount you will be paid may differ.
We’ve made it easier to see how much you will be paid as a foster parent through our Finance Calculator tool.
Training and Support
As an existing foster parent, we know you will already possess invaluable skills and experience.
However, just as we would offer training to new foster parents, we also extend this offer to any foster parents looking to join us from another agency. This is to ensure you feel fully equipped and confident as you continue your fostering journey, including following a change of agency.
Our foster family training course is available at several of our locations across the West Midlands.
In addition, we also provide a wealth of support packages meaning help and advice are always available should you need it.
As part of our support offering, we’ll give you access to a range of specialists to promote the health and wellbeing of the children in your care. We can also be contacted 24/7 should you need us at any time.
How to become a foster carer
Anyone wanting to start their fostering journey needs to undergo a full fostering assessment, Applicants will be assessed on various criteria to determine whether they are suitable to become foster parents, along with the type of fostering they would be most suited to. There are various steps involved in the overall process such as background checks and home visits. This is to ensure that potential foster parents are a suitable fit to fulfil the needs of young people.
Every person has their own reasons as to why fostering a child matters to them. You will be given an opportunity to talk about the motivation behind your desires to foster while sharing the personal experiences or qualities that you could bring to the table.
Potential foster parents must undergo background checks prior to being approved. This is to ensure that there are no outstanding factors based on your history or circumstances that may make you unsuitable for fostering.
Every foster parent in the UK must have a Fostering Assessment. This is a detailed report covering all aspects of your life and personal circumstances. The information you give will be used to assess if you could be a suitable foster parent.
During the fostering assessment process, a Match Foster Care social worker will meet with you at your home. This gives us a chance to have a look around your home and meet any pets, to determine if the environment would be suitable for a young person to live in as a foster home. There is also ample opportunity for you to ask questions about the process on a one-to-one basis.
Once the fostering assessment is complete, your application will be considered by a fostering panel at Match Foster Care offices. You along with your attending social worker also get to attend the panel to ask questions. The recommendations will then be passed onto the agency decision maker as to whether or not you will be approved to become a foster carer.
Approved foster carers are fully supported as they undergo training to best equip them for their new role. At Match Foster Care, we have training venues at both the Droitwich and Stoke offices and if required at other locations across the West Midlands and Staffordshire, meaning you will not have to travel far. In addition, we also offer extensive e-learning opportunities to prepare you for foster care placements.
With all of the assessment, training and development stages now complete, you will be ready to foster your first child. Match Foster Care will offer continued support throughout each placement, enabling you to feel confident in fulfilling the needs of the young people in your care.
Before you leave your current foster care agency in the UK, we will consult with you to learn more about your reasons for leaving. This way, we can determine whether our agency is a good fit for you.
During the transfer process, we work in the best interests of the child. Match Foster Care agency facilitates your move as quickly as possible, minimising any potential disruption for the young person. We remain focused on the task at hand and avoid becoming distracted by any of the politics or deteriorating professional relationships that might influence your decision to make a move.
Once you join us, you’ll have an opportunity to speak with us regularly about the services we offer. Unlike many independent foster care agencies, we adopt a collaborative approach. This means we understand what it is like to be a foster parent and regularly take on board recommendations and suggestions.
Once you transfer to us, you can benefit from our full range of support and training, including dedicated educational support workers and an in-house nurse. We can tailor the support to your specific strengths and weaknesses, improving your experience of fostering.
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
Independent fostering companies vary considerably from each other. Ideally, you want one that provides the most support. Therefore, it’s a good idea to ask the agency if it provides around-the-clock support, foster parent training, reimbursements for the child’s basic needs, and help with other expenses for the child. It is also worth noting that at Match we relieve you of the burden of lots of paperwork. We keep the caseloads of our social workers very low, meaning they can ease the burden of recording information, leaving you free to care for your foster children.
You cannot register with more than one fostering agency in the UK.
The government changed the rules ten years ago to make it easy to transfer. Match Foster Care Agency is experienced in dealing with transfers with a minimum of fuss. Get in touch to discuss your needs.
Choosing a fostering agency is a personal decision and something you should consider carefully.
While we can’t speak on behalf of other fostering agencies, we can share what it’s like to become a foster carer with ourselves here at Match Foster Care.
Recently rated as ‘Outstanding’ during our latest Ofsted inspection, we pride ourselves on giving our foster carers everything they need to ensure a successful placement. We acutely understand how important foster carers are to the wider society, and we want to do everything we can to support you at every stage of the process.
A Form F assessment is not transferable to a new agency. This means when you want to move to a different fostering service you will need to complete a new Form F assessment.
That said, as you will have been through the process before you will know what to expect.
If your circumstances haven’t changed since the last time you completed a Form F assessment, we may be able to fast track your application.
Naturally, every local authority or fostering agency will have its own rules about the notice you must give when you want to transfer to a different service. That’s why you must research this in advance to ensure the proper notice is given.
To offer a general guide, the typical time frame most agencies need is around 28 days. Informing your current LA or foster agency about your intention to switch as soon as possible is always preferable.
As a foster carer, you do have the right to change fostering agencies. However, you can only be registered with one agency at a time.
If you do want to switch foster agencies, you will need to go through the transfer process. This involves giving your current agency notice about your intention to leave, before completing the application process with your new agency.
How to become a foster carer
Anyone wanting to start their fostering journey needs to undergo a full fostering assessment, Applicants will be assessed on various criteria to determine whether they are suitable to become foster parents, along with the type of fostering they would be most suited to. There are various steps involved in the overall process such as background checks and home visits. This is to ensure that potential foster parents are a suitable fit to fulfil the needs of young people.
Every person has their own reasons as to why fostering a child matters to them. You will be given an opportunity to talk about the motivation behind your desires to foster while sharing the personal experiences or qualities that you could bring to the table.
Potential foster parents must undergo background checks prior to being approved. This is to ensure that there are no outstanding factors based on your history or circumstances that may make you unsuitable for fostering.
Every foster parent in the UK must have a Fostering Assessment. This is a detailed report covering all aspects of your life and personal circumstances. The information you give will be used to assess if you could be a suitable foster parent.
During the fostering assessment process, a Match Foster Care social worker will meet with you at your home. This gives us a chance to have a look around your home and meet any pets, to determine if the environment would be suitable for a young person to live in as a foster home. There is also ample opportunity for you to ask questions about the process on a one-to-one basis.
Once the fostering assessment is complete, your application will be considered by a fostering panel at Match Foster Care offices. You along with your attending social worker also get to attend the panel to ask questions. The recommendations will then be passed onto the agency decision maker as to whether or not you will be approved to become a foster carer.
Approved foster carers are fully supported as they undergo training to best equip them for their new role. At Match Foster Care, we have training venues at both the Droitwich and Stoke offices and if required at other locations across the West Midlands and Staffordshire, meaning you will not have to travel far. In addition, we also offer extensive e-learning opportunities to prepare you for foster care placements.
With all of the assessment, training and development stages now complete, you will be ready to foster your first child. Match Foster Care will offer continued support throughout each placement, enabling you to feel confident in fulfilling the needs of the young people in your care.
