Are you thinking about switching from a fostering agency to a local authority? Maybe you’d like to move between local authorities? Or perhaps you are moving to a new area? At Local Authority Fostering South East we are committed to making this as quick, smooth and pain-free as possible.
Why do foster carers transfer?
Foster carers transfer organisations for a variety of reasons.
- Perhaps you have not received the support you were expecting, or you might not be getting suitable matches through your current fostering agency
- You might be fostering a child long-term and want to be closer to the support provided by their local authority
- Maybe your circumstance have changed and you are moving home or looking to increase or reduce the amount of foster care you provide
There’s no right or wrong answer and it’s always important to consider all the options available to you.
You don’t need to be a ‘full time’ foster carer to transfer to us, we need emergency and respite foster carers too. By joining us you’ll become part of a network of over 2,800 fostering families across the South East.
Transferring to your local authority
We have a large fostering recruitment team across the South East, who have lots of experience supporting foster carers through the transfer process. This means we are able to offer high levels of support to transferring, new and returning foster carers. We can offer:
- A foster carer buddy scheme where you will be paired up with someone who will be a friendly, honest face and can welcome and support you
- The Mockingbird Model of fostering support, and similar models, across all 20 local authorities which are part of Local Authority Fostering South East
- A host of events, activities and support groups for the fostering community, organised by your local council
How long will it take?
The transfer process is quicker than going through the foster approval process from scratch, as we already know you have the skills and experience needed for this role. Each case is different, so contact us and we can let you know how long the process will take for your chosen local authority.
Can I transfer with a child I care for?
Foster carers can usually transfer with children they currently care for. We follow the Fostering Network Transfer Protocol for the transfer of foster carers. We will work with you and your agency to put the needs of the child or young person at the centre of the process.
Fancy a change?
If you’re already a foster carer and you’re thinking of transferring we’d love to hear from you. Click on the button below and get in touch with our friendly recruitment team who can give you more information about the transfer process.