If you are searching for how to transfer fostering agency, you may already know that something needs to change. Many experienced foster carers begin looking for a new agency when they feel they are not getting the support, communication, or sense of community they need. Others are simply exploring whether a different fostering agency might be a better fit for their values and circumstances.
Whatever has brought you here, the good news is that transferring fostering agency is possible. In many cases, the process is more straightforward than carers expect, especially when it is handled with care, professionalism, and a clear understanding of the protocol involved.
At Apex Fostering, we regularly support foster carers who are considering a transfer. Our aim is to make the process feel respectful, transparent, and focused on the wellbeing of both the carer and any child in placement.
Every fostering journey is different, but the reasons carers choose to transfer are often very similar. Some carers feel their support has changed over time. Others no longer feel aligned with the values of their current agency. Many simply want a more personal and responsive experience.
Common reasons for transferring fostering agency include:
Feeling unsupported during difficult placements.
Having frequent changes in social workers or managers.
Poor communication or slow responses when help is needed.
Feeling like just a number rather than part of a team.
Wanting a smaller, more community-focused agency.
The Fostering Network has highlighted that a lack of support is a major factor in carers leaving, with around 60% of foster carers saying support issues contribute to their decision to move on. Fostering is a demanding and deeply important role, and carers deserve to feel supported, listened to, and respected in the work they do.
Yes, foster carers in the UK can transfer fostering agency.
Foster carers have the right to choose the fostering service they work with, and that includes the right to move if they feel another agency may be a better fit. Transfers are guided by the Fostering Network’s transfer protocol, which helps ensure the process is handled ethically and with the child’s best interests at the centre.
The purpose of the protocol is not to create unnecessary disruption. It is to support stability, fairness, and good decision-making for everyone involved.
This is one of the most common questions carers ask, and it is an important one.
In most cases, a child does not have to leave your home simply because you transfer fostering agency. If you have a child in placement, a protocol meeting will usually take place between your current agency, the new fostering agency, and the local authority responsible for the child.
The purpose of this meeting is to make sure everyone agrees on the best way forward for the child’s wellbeing and stability. Continuity of care is always the priority, and decisions are made carefully so the child’s needs remain central.
The transfer process follows a structured pathway so it can be completed ethically and professionally. It should follow the Fostering Network’s transfer protocol, which helps ensure the move is handled in a fair and child-centred way.
The first step is usually a relaxed conversation with the new fostering agency. This gives you the chance to ask questions, understand the support on offer, and decide whether the agency feels like the right fit.
If you decide to move forward, you will need to let your current agency know in writing that you intend to transfer. This begins the formal process.
Your new agency will review your fostering records and update your Form F assessment, which outlines your experience, skills, and fostering journey. Additional checks may also be completed to make sure everything is up to date.
If a child is in placement, a protocol meeting will normally be arranged. This helps ensure the transfer is planned carefully and the child’s stability is protected.
Once the updated assessment is complete, your case will usually be presented to the new agency’s fostering panel for approval.
After panel approval, you will usually provide 28 days’ notice to your current agency. Once that notice period ends, your transfer is complete.
Only you can decide whether moving to a new fostering agency is the right step.
If you are feeling unsupported, overwhelmed, or simply curious about what else is available, having a conversation can help you explore your options. Sometimes even a short, informal chat is enough to give you clarity about what support might look like elsewhere.
If you are looking for a fostering agency that feels more personal, more responsive, and more aligned with your values, Apex would be happy to talk to you.
If you are considering changing fostering agency, we would love to have a confidential conversation with you. At Apex, we will help you understand the process, talk through your options, and decide what feels right for you and the children in your care.
Yes. Foster carers have the right to transfer fostering agency if they feel another service can better support them and the children in their care.
Yes, in most cases you can. A protocol meeting is usually held to ensure the child’s needs and stability are protected.
It usually takes a few months, depending on your circumstances, the assessment process, and panel dates.
No, not usually. In most cases, the child remains with the foster carer while the transfer is managed carefully.
The first step is to have an informal conversation with the new agency so you can understand the process and decide whether it feels right for you.
