How to transfer foster agency

Fast, confidential with dedicated support

With the right support and guidance, the process to transfer foster agency is actually quite straightforward. As you’ve been through the assessment process before, lots of the information we need is often already available, making the process quicker and simpler.

Plus, with Orange Grove, you’ll have a dedicated recruitment manager for experienced foster parents to make sure everything runs smoothly. So, let’s take a look at how to switch foster agencies.

How to change foster care agencies

The process for transferring follows pretty much the same steps whether you’re transferring with or without children in placement, but there are a couple of minor differences. We explain the process below, so you can see how it will work for you.

Transferring without a child in placement

Transferring with a child in placement

I’m looking to transfer without a child in placement

Step 1: Enquire

Fill out our online form and one of our transferring foster parent advisors will aim to get in touch within 30 minutes during working hours. You’ll receive lots of information about transferring and what it’s like to foster with Orange Grove.

Step 2: Initial Visit

If you’re happy to take your next step, we’ll arrange a home visit – either face-to-face or online via video call, whichever you prefer.

During the visit, we’ll get to know each other a little better and answer any of your questions. We’ll also discuss fees and look to agree these either on or shortly after the visit. Finding a fostering agency that suits you and your family’s needs is vital and so this is a great chance for you to figure out if we’re a good fit.

Step 3: Application & Assessment

When you apply to foster with another organisation, you’ll need to let your current fostering provider know that you’re considering a transfer. This isn’t your resignation though; it’s just informing them that you’re looking at other options. At Orange Grove, your dedicated recruitment manager can talk you through the details of this and give you a template to use for your notice of intent to transfer.

Once we’ve received your application and a copy of your notice of intent to transfer, we’ll get started with your assessment. As an experienced foster parent, your assessment will be fast-tracked, aiming to complete it within just 12 weeks. You’ll need to be available for social work visits, but your assessing social worker will capture all your existing skills and the experience you’ve gained through fostering to complete the Form F for you.

Step 4: Panel

As soon as your Form F is ready, we’ll invite you to Panel where your assessment will be reviewed. Our independent panel will then make a recommendation about your approval status to our agency decision maker.

Step 5: Transfer

Once you’ve received confirmation of your approval, you’ll need to formally resign from your current agency or local authority. Then just 28 days later, you’ll automatically transfer over to our service, when your new contract starts and your old one ends.

I’m looking to transfer with a child in placement

Step 1: Enquire

Step 2: Initial Visit

If you’re happy to take your next step, we’ll arrange a home visit – either face-to-face or online via video call, whichever you prefer. During the visit, we’ll get to know each other a little better and answer any of your questions.

We’ll also discuss fees and look to agree these either on or shortly after the visit. Finding a fostering agency that suits you and your family’s needs, including any children in your care, is vital and so this is a great chance for you to figure out if we’re a good fit.

Step 3: Application & Assessment

When you apply to foster with another organisation, you’ll need to let your current fostering provider know that you’re considering a transfer. This isn’t your resignation though; it’s just informing them that you’re looking at other options. You’ll also need to notify the child’s placing local authority. At Orange Grove, your dedicated recruitment manager can talk you through the details of this and give you a template to use for your notice of intent to transfer.

During the assessment and within 28 days of receiving your notice of intent to transfer, your child’s placing local authority should arrange something called a ‘Transfer Protocol Meeting’. This is where you, your foster child’s placing local authority, your current fostering provider and a representative from Orange Grove discuss your foster child’s needs to make sure they’ll continue to be met once you’ve transferred. We’ve been to lots of Transfer Protocol Meetings over the years, so there’s really nothing for you to worry about.

Step 4: Panel

Step 5: Transfer

Once you’ve received confirmation of your approval, you’ll need to formally resign from your current agency or local authority. Then just 28 days later, you’ll transfer over to our service, when your new contract starts and your old one ends.

Thinking about transferring?

Download our Guide to Transferring Foster Agency for an in-depth overview of the transferring process and the benefits of fostering with Orange Grove.

Download Guide

Frequently asked questions

How easy is it to change foster agencies?

With the right support, transferring is a straightforward process and our dedicated team will work with you to ensure that everything goes smoothly. We aim to complete transfer assessments within just 12 weeks, so you can focus on the thing you do best. And that’s providing excellent quality care to vulnerable children and teenagers.

Can I transfer with a child in placement?

Absolutely! If you feel like you’re not getting the support or service you deserve, then it’s completely your right to look around and find a fostering provider that suits your needs. Plus, your current fostering agency or local authority doesn’t need to know until you decide to apply. And even then, you don’t need to formally resign. A formal resignation comes later in the process once you’ve been approved at panel.

Do I need to inform my current fostering provider know that I’m thinking about transferring?

You don’t need to inform your current fostering agency or local authority that you’re thinking about transferring until you’ve applied elsewhere. At that point, you’ll need to send them your notice of intent to transfer. But remember, this is not your resignation. You don’t officially resign until after Panel and approval.

Do I need to resign before applying to another fostering agency?

No, you won’t officially resign until you’ve been approved with your new fostering agency or local authority and have provided a copy of your notice of intent to transfer.

When will my contract end with my old fostering provider?

Your old contract will come to an end 28 days after the agency decision maker confirms your approval status. This is when you’ll be transferred across to your new fostering provider and your new contract will begin.

What is a Transfer Protocol Meeting?

The Transfer Protocol Meeting takes place when you’re caring for a child but also under assessment with another fostering agency or local authority. This is a standard part of the transfer process and should be arranged by your child’s placing local authority. It’s where you, your current fostering provider, your child’s placing local authority and a representative from your new fostering provider come together to discuss how you’ll continue to meet your foster child’s needs.

Some of the main discussion points for the Transfer Protocol Meeting are:

How the child’s care plan will continue to be delivered
The views of the child and their parent(s)
How the new fostering provider will support specific needs
How the child’s routines, relationships and activities may be impacted by transferring
The types of children that the new provider could place alongside your current child in future (if applicable)
The plan around fees from the placing authority to the agency, and then the agency to you

We have many years of experience attending these meetings, so you’ll be in good hands. And you can be assured that you and the child in your care will always be our top priority.

Will my fostering allowance change?

This depends on the fostering agency or local authority you approach.

At Orange Grove, we’ll match your current fostering allowance for any child you have in placement. Sometimes, we’ll be able to offer you an increased rate. We’ll discuss this and agree fees either at your home visit or very shortly after. So, if you’d like to find out how much you could receive when you transfer to our team, then book a confidential call with one of our transferring foster parent advisors.

Thinking about transferring?

If you’re not getting the support you need, then transferring fostering agency may be the right move for you.

Why transfer to us

Discover all the reasons why foster parents choose to transfer to our fostering family today.

Find your local team

We have local teams supporting hundreds of foster families and children all across England.

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Are you ready to chat about transferring?

Fill out the form and one of our transferring foster parent advisors will aim to call you within 30 minutes during working hours.

Rest assured, this is completely confidential so you don’t have to worry about your existing provider finding out.

We can chat to you about:

Transfer process – with or without a child in placement
Training and support available at Orange Grove
Fostering allowance and other perks and benefits
Answer any of your questions

We look forward to helping you on your transfer journey.

How to change foster agency