Are you already a Foster Carer?

Some of our carers have fostered for other organisations and have chosen to transfer to us.

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 “mainstream” agencies will provide training in issues common to able bodied children (e.g. 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.

Credo Care knows the difficulties that carers who foster for children with disabilities face, and are committed to providing the best service available to them.

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 to us, we meet with you to gain an understanding of your current circumstances and the reason why you are considering moving.

We 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:

•  Informal meeting to discuss transfer plans.
•  We contact your current agency and placing authority after you have informed them that you want to move.
•  Meeting held with you, your current agency and placing authority Social Workers.
•  Transfer planned to ensure 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.
•  Assessment presented at Credo Care Fostering Panel.
•  Date agreed for formal transfer between agencies.
•  Transfer confirmed to all parties.