Transfer to us
We are regularly contacted by carers who foster for other agencies. We hear about situations where that the agency they are with doesn’t have many children who are disabled and the carers do not get the right training or support.
It can be very isolating when carers look after children with special needs and they do not have other carers to talk to who have similar experiences or dilemmas. It is common to find that “main stream” agencies will provide training in issues common to able bodied children (ie truancy or solvent abuse), but rarely deliver training programmes about disability issues. In some cases, carers are told to find their own courses to attend.
Foster carers are entitled to transfer agencies. Credo Care uses the Transfer Protocol established by the Fostering Network which is recognised as good practice by Local Authorities and foster care services.
When you ask to transfer, we will meet with you to gain an understanding of your current circumstances and the reason why you are considering moving We will explain the various ways in which a transfer can be achieved so that any children in placement are not adversely affected. We provide advice about how to manage the transfer as smoothly as possible without a break in your approval or distress to any important working relationships
The transfer process works as follows:
- We meet with you to informally discuss your plans to move
- If you decide to transfer, we delay contacting your current agency until you have had the chance to talk with relevant staff and managers about your plans
- We meet with your current agency and the placing Local Authority of children you have with you to discuss and agree transfer arrangements - including the timing of your proposed move and how to effect the transfer so that any children in placement are not disrupted or distressed by the change in agency arrangements
- A new form F assessment will be completed with statutory checks, this takes less time than when you originally applied to foster
- We present your report to our fostering panel to seek in principle agreement to your approval
- We agree with you and your current agency the date at which this new approval will come into effect and the date the old approval will end
We confirm with you, any children in placement and their social workers that the transfer is now complete.