Transferring to Perpetual Fostering
As an approved Foster Carer, you have the right to transfer to another Fostering Agency. The process for transferring to Perpetual Fostering differs depending on your current placement circumstances.
Our policy for transferring foster carers ensures that the best interests and needs of any child in placement are still met. Foster Carers will not suffer financially and any agreed payments with their previous agencies will be honoured for the duration of that placement. We will not allow any lapse in approval and will work closely with all other agencies.
We have encountered some instances where foster carers have been subjected to undue pressure to remain with their current agency/authority. If this is the case, please inform us so we can advise you of what appropriate action to take.
Transferring without a child in placement
If there is no child in placement you will have to give your Authority/Agency, 28 days notice, in writing, of your intention to resign. Once this has been done, Perpetual Fostering will begin their assessment process.
Perpetual Fostering will notify the existing provider of their intention to start the assessment and will request a reference. We may also request visibility of your current Form F Assessment. Your current provider can then take steps to deregister you from their Agency.
Transferring with a child in placement
If there is a child in placement you will have to notify the placing Authority and your current provider of your intention to resign, giving 28 days written notice.
Upon receipt of the written notice, the placing Authority will then call a meeting (within 28 days) of the placing authority, the existing provider, Perpetual Fostering and the carer(s). This meeting should consider the following:-
- How a move of Carer to Perpetual Fostering may affect each child in placement;
- How the child’s plan will be followed;
- The arrangements for approval by Perpetual Fostering and de-registration by the existing provider of the Carer(s) to facilitate transfer and continuity for the Carer;
- The views of the child, parent or any other interest parties should be sought and represented by the placing Authority.
The aim of this meeting must be to reach agreement on the following:-
- Continuing the placement with the Carer(s) where it is in the child/children’s best interest;
- Where the placement is not to continue, the arrangements to move the child/children to an alternative placement;
- A timetable for the transfer of approval to Perpetual Fostering. The expectation is that reassessment and training will be completed within 3-6 months of this meeting taking place.
You will remain with your current Agency until the assessment is completed and this will be presented to Perpetual Fostering’s Panel who will recommend your approval. Our Agency Decision Maker will then inform your current provider that approval has been granted and you will be deregistered from them. The placing Local Authority will then be advised of your change of status.
