"“We’d been fostering for a while, but we needed more support and better communication. Transferring made a real difference — we finally felt listened to.”"
Transfer to Greater London Fostering
Thinking About Transferring Agency?
If you are already a foster carer and considering transferring to a new agency, it’s usually for a reason.
Many carers reach a point where they begin to reflect on the support they are receiving, the communication they experience day to day, and whether they feel valued in their role. Sometimes things have changed over time. In other cases, carers simply feel that something is missing.
It’s important to know that you do have a choice. Transferring to a different fostering agency is possible, and for many carers it can lead to a more positive and supported experience.
Why Foster Carers Transfer
Every carer’s situation is different, but there are some common themes that often come up.
Some carers feel that support is inconsistent or difficult to access when they need it most. Others feel that decisions are made without their input, or that communication is unclear or delayed. Sometimes it is simply a sense that the relationship with the agency is no longer working in the way it once did.
Transferring is not about criticising your current agency. It is about recognising what you need to continue fostering in a way that feels manageable, supported and positive.
Transferring with no child in placement
If you are currently approved, but don’t have a child living with you.
Transferring from an IFA with a child in placement
Are you currently approved by an independent fostering agency, and have a child, or children placed with you?
transferring from a local authority with a child in placement
If you are approved for a local authority fostering service, then the transfer process is slightly different.
Transferring to us if you have no child in placement
If you do not currently have a child placed with you, the transfer process is often more straightforward.
You will still go through an assessment process, but it will focus on your existing experience as a foster carer, your current circumstances, and your continued suitability to foster.
This can be a good opportunity to reflect on the type of placements you would like to offer in the future and the kind of support you feel you need from your agency.
As with all transfers, the process is supportive rather than rushed, giving you time to make sure the decision feels right.
Transferring to us with no child in placement
The process is easy!
1
Give us a call
We will have a chat with you about what you are looking for in a fostering agency, and will be 100% open and honest about whether what we offer is right for you. We’ve found that people often think the grass is greener on the other side—which, with us, it usually is—but we will be honest if we can’t offer you what you are currently missing.
2
We will carry out a transfer assessment
This process will be similar to your original fostering assessment, but if you’ve been approved in the past few years then it should be a lot faster.
We will, however, usually have to complete the same background checks, as this is required by law.
3
Approval then foster
Your assessment will be presented to our panel, who will then make a recommendation to our decision maker—who, assuming they are happy, will approve you. Then our fantastic placement team will match you with a child and get you fostering.
Transferring to us from an IFA when you have a child or children placed with you.
If you currently have a child placed with you, transferring is still possible, but it needs to be handled carefully and with the child’s wellbeing at the centre.
The process involves coordination between your current agency, the local authority, and Greater London Fostering. The child’s needs and stability will always be the priority, and any move will be planned to minimise disruption.
In many cases, children remain with the same foster carer during the transfer process. The aim is to maintain continuity, so that the child’s day-to-day life remains as stable as possible.
We will guide you through this process step by step, making sure you understand what is happening and what to expect at each stage.
Transferring to us from an IFA, when you have a child in placement
Our number 1 concern is to ensure placement stability
1
Give us a call
First things first, give us a call so you can find out what we offer as a fostering agency. There is no point in transferring to us, if we can’t offer you what you’re looking for so please be open and honest with us and we’ll be the same with you.
Money: When you transfer to us, you will receive either our normal carers pay, or what you currently receive – whichever is the more. Please note, there might be very rare occasions when we cannot match your current fee – but we will tell you this at the initial call.
2
We will start a transfer assessment
This process will be similar to your original fostering assessment, but if you’ve been approved in the past few years then it should be a lot faster.
We may not start the second stage of the assessment until we have completed the transfer protocol meeting (which is the next step).
3
Transfer Protocol meeting
When we are confident that we can approve you as a foster carer with us, we will convene a transfer protocol meeting.
This will involve us, you, your current agency and the social workers for all the children you have placed with you.
The purpose of this meeting is to ensure that there is no disruption to the children placed with you. The meeting isn’t about whether you can transfer – this is 100% your decision to make.
4
Approval by us, and resignation
When we are nearing the end of your assessment, we will give you a date for you panel and a date that you should resign from your current agency. It’s important that we line up these dates correctly, to ensure a smooth transition. It’s really important that you don’t not hand in your resignation until we tell you it’s ok.
Transferring to us from a local authority if you have a child in placement
If you are an approved foster carer with a local council, and have a child in placement then it’s not always 100% straight forward to transfer, but we will always do our best to help you.
Because of the way our funding works, sometimes we are unable to accept local authority foster carers with children in placement.
Transferring to us from an LA when you have a child in placement
Give us a call to find out whether we can help!
1
Give us a call
The first step when thinking about transferring from a local authority is to give us a call to talk about the reasons you are looking to transfer.
We will be very open and honest with you about how easy or difficult it is to transfer, which depends a lot on which local authority you are moving from. If you foster short-term or emergency foster children, then there is usually no issue, as we can time any move for when you don’t have a child with you. If, however, you have a child with you long term, then it may be difficult—but not impossible.
2
We will carry out a transfer assessment
This process will be similar to your original fostering assessment, but if you’ve been approved in the past few years then it should be a lot faster.
We will, however, usually have to complete the same background checks, as this is required by law.
3
Approval then foster
Your assessment will be presented to our panel, who will then make a recommendation to our decision maker—who, assuming they are happy, will approve you. Then our fantastic placement team will match you with a child and get you fostering.
Financial Support
Financial stability is an important part of being able to continue fostering.
Greater London Fostering provides clear and consistent payments of £479.50 per week for children aged 10 and under, and £507.50 per week for children aged 11 and over. These payments include both the cost of caring for a child and a professional reward for your role.
We are always open and transparent about financial support, so you can make a fully informed decision.
You can read more here:
👉 https://greaterlondonfostering.org/foster-care-money/
You ask, we answer
We’ve put together a few common questions which are asked of us when people are looking to transfer
Yes, as a foster carer you have the right to foster for whomever you want. If you aren’t happy with your current agency or local authority then a change might be just what you need.
Technically, you can. However, we always advise waiting until your allegation or investigation has concluded before you start the transfer process, as our approval will likely depend on a positive outcome. But we know there are always two sides to a story, so as long as you are honest with us, we will take a balanced view.
It’s really important to know what pay you’ll receive as a carer. All GLF carers get:
• £479.50 per week for each child aged 0–10
• £507.50 per week for each child aged 11 and over
• £550–£1,600 per week for enhanced or more complex placements, depending on the child’s needs
You’ll also receive a monthly contribution towards your council tax when you foster.
We always pay you weekly, per child, and we never make deductions for sibling groups.
We usually are able to transfer a carer in about 13 weeks, although this is very dependent on how long it takes for background checks to come back.
Is Transferring the Right Decision?
Deciding whether to transfer is a personal decision, and it’s important to take time to think it through.
For some carers, raising concerns with their current agency leads to positive changes. For others, moving to a new agency provides the fresh start and level of support they have been looking for.
There is no pressure to make a decision quickly. Exploring your options and asking questions is a sensible first step.
Take the First Step
If you are thinking about transferring, the best place to start is simply a conversation.
You can talk through your current situation, ask questions, and understand what a move might look like in practice. There is no obligation to proceed unless it feels right for you.
If you would like to speak to us, you can get in touch here:
👉 https://greaterlondonfostering.org/contact-us/
Or arrange a call back at a time that suits you:
👉 https://greaterlondonfostering.org/lp/arrange-a-call-back/
We’re here to help you explore your options and decide what feels right for you.
Ready to transfer? Arrange a call back now!
Don’t worry, the initial call is 100% confidential. We will only let your agency know you are thinking of transferring when we have commenced the assessment, and with your consent.