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Fostering children is a hugely rewarding thing to do, but you may decide after working with the same foster agency for several months or years that you are ready for a change. If you’re thinking of transferring to a new agency, here are some of the reasons why that’s a good idea.
1. You’re Unhappy with the Level of Support
One of the main reasons to consider changing agencies is if you feel you’re not getting adequate support. Fostering can be intensely demanding, so having an agency that provides sufficient respite care, helps access support services, and is available to answer your questions is vital. If your current agency is unresponsive or fails to provide the backing you need as a foster carer, looking at how to transfer fostering agency could be enough to improve your situation.
2. There Are Communication Issues
Open and transparent communication between foster carers and agencies is essential. If an agency is difficult to reach, slow to respond to your queries, or provides ambiguous or confusing information, these communication barriers can seriously impact your ability to provide quality care. Poor communication leads to frustration and a lack of trust, so seeking an agency that values clear and responsive contact with its carers is beneficial.
3. You Want to Foster Specific Children
You may wish to specialise in certain fostering placements – for example, disabled children, siblings, or teenagers. If your current agency cannot facilitate the placements you’d like to provide despite available demand, transferring to one more tailored to your preferences could help. Seeking an agency that shares your vision in the types of foster care you wish to provide can enable a more rewarding fostering experience.
4. There’s a Change in Your Circumstances
If life circumstances change while you are a foster carer – a change in work, a house move, an expanding family, or other major events – this may necessitate switching agencies. You’ll want one that can accommodate your new situation in aspects like location, available placements, or logistical support. Don’t stay with an agency that no longer fits just because it’s familiar – be prepared to find another more relevant to your current needs.
5. You Have Lost Trust in the Agency
Above all else, you must have complete faith in your agency’s practices, decision-making and duty of care. Any incidents that severely undermine your ability to trust them – like carer negligence, unsafe placements, or lack of protector support if problems arise – warrant finding an alternative. No matter how established the relationship is, losing confidence in their integrity or decision-making means it’s time to seriously look at transferring for the good of the children in your care.
Changing foster agencies is a big step, but worth considering if your current one fails to provide the backing you require. Seeking an agency that communicates openly, shares your fostering vision, and gives you their complete support can make all the difference for you and the children who need your care.
