Transferring from an independent agency

If you're already approved with an independent agency or a council in another area, you don't have to start again to foster with us.

You can move between fostering services, and because you're already approved and already doing the work, the process builds on what you've done rather than beginning from nothing.

We follow the Fostering Network's Transfer Protocols, which let foster carers move between services while keeping the safety and stability of the children in their care at the centre of the decision.

When there's no home nearby, a child moves away from their borough, their school and their friends. Councils look after children from their own area, so fostering with us usually means caring for a child who lives in London, and you'd be working directly with the team responsible for that child rather than through an agency in between.

How do I transfer?

Get in touch for an informal chat. We'll talk through your current arrangement, what you're looking for, and what a move to would involve, and we'll go at whatever pace suits you.

You'll need to tell your current council or agency before the process can complete, though not before you've spoken to us.

How long does it take?

Around four months from the point the transfer is agreed and you've notified your current service.

The assessment updates the one you had when you were first approved rather than repeating it, and involves around eight home visits.

Will I have to do my training again?

It depends when you last did your Skills to Foster training. If it was a while ago, you'll be asked to do it again, and we'll fit that around the assessment rather than adding it on afterwards.

Can I transfer if I'm currently caring for a child?

Yes. You can move between services whether or not a child is living with you at the moment, and the arrangements for that child are worked out at a transfer protocol meeting between you, us and your current service.

The meeting exists so that everyone has the same information before anything changes, and so that a child who is settled with you isn't disrupted by the move.

What happens to my approval terms?

These will be assessed again by an expert within our Hub. However, we will take into account the terms you have with you existing organisation.

Will there be a gap in my payments?

We aim for there not to be. If the timing of your move means there's a risk of one, we'll talk it through with you early and agree arrangements so you aren't left short.

Talk to us about transferring

Tell us who you're approved with and whether you're caring for a child at the moment, and we'll talk you through what a move would look like.