Many foster carers reach a point where they wonder whether another agency could offer them better support. Perhaps you feel unheard, your social worker keeps changing, or you simply want a more personal service. Whatever your reason, it is reassuring to know that every foster carer has the right to transfer between fostering services.
This guide explains how transfers work under the Fostering Network's Transfer Protocol, what to expect along the way, and how to keep any children in your care at the centre of the process.
Your Right to Transfer
You can transfer whether you currently foster for a local authority or an independent fostering agency, and whether or not you have a child living with you. All fostering agencies subscribe to the Fostering Network's Transfer Protocol.
The protocol rests on two key principles:
- Freedom of Movement: Foster carers have the right to move between fostering services.
- The Child Comes First: In all circumstances, the welfare of any child in placement must be paramount.
These principles mean a transfer should be handled openly and respectfully by everyone involved, with careful planning around any children in your care.
The Transfer Process, Step by Step
Every transfer is different, but most follow a similar path:
- Research and Initial Contact: You speak to the agency you are considering, ask questions, and decide whether it feels right for you.
- Telling Your Current Agency: Once you decide to go ahead, you let your current fostering service know about your plans.
- Sharing Information: Your current agency is obliged to share a range of information with your new agency, including access to your existing file.
- Updating Your Assessment: Your new agency reviews and updates your assessment. Because so much information already exists, this is usually far less intrusive than your first assessment.
- Panel and Approval: Your new agency presents your assessment to its fostering panel, and its decision maker approves you.
- Moving Across: Once approved, you begin fostering with your new agency, with plans in place to keep any children in your care settled.
How Long Does a Transfer Take?
Timescales vary depending on your circumstances and how quickly information is shared. At Lighthouse Fostering, transfers usually take around 12 to 16 weeks on average, and every transfer is discussed on an individual basis.
| Common Worry | What Usually Happens |
| "I'll have to go through the full approval process again." | Your existing file is shared, so the assessment is updated rather than started from scratch. |
| "The children in my care will have to move." | The protocol puts the child's welfare first, and transfers are planned to keep children settled. |
| "My current agency won't co-operate." | Agencies that subscribe to the protocol are expected to share the information needed for a transfer. |
| "I'll lose the experience I've built up." | Many agencies recognise your experience. At Lighthouse, your skills could transfer onto our Reward Pathway. |
Questions to Ask a New Agency
Before you transfer, it helps to compare agencies carefully. Useful questions include:
- Support: How often will my supervising social worker visit, and is support available 24 hours a day?
- Training: What training is offered, and is any of it specialist or therapeutic?
- Pay and Allowances: How are fees set, and are there extra payments for birthdays, holidays, or experience?
- Respite: How many days of short breaks or respite will I receive each year?
- Culture: Will I be listened to, and do carers have a say in how the agency is run?
Transferring to Lighthouse Fostering
Lighthouse Fostering was founded by foster carers and care leavers, and we are not owned by a large corporation. Carers who transfer to us benefit from:
- Fees Tailored to Each Child: Allowances of up to £40,040 a year for each child.
- 20 Nights of Short Breaks: We reimburse you if you don't take them all.
- Extra Allowances: Birthday, child holiday, and school clothing support payments.
- Free FosterTalk Membership: Including free legal advice and free tax advice.
- Support 24 Hours a Day: Our trained staff are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Thinking About Transferring?
Changing agencies can feel like a big step, but you don't have to work it out alone. Visit our agency transfer page to speak confidentially with our carer team about your options, with no obligation.