Transfer to F5
Why would you transfer to F5 Foster Care?
At F5 Foster Care we understand that changing your current foster care agency can seem like a daunting prospect, however if you have made the decision that now is the time, the actual process of transferring is easier than you may think, plus our friendly team is on hand to support you through the process. We have added some information below about what is involved in the transfer process however in the meantime, we would like to set your mind at ease by sharing some of the benefits that come with becoming part of the F5 Foster Care family.
1. Outstanding support and guidance – We are extremely proud of the high levels of support that our Foster Carers receive, whilst all agencies provide a dedicated Supervising Social Worker, we do believe our whole team goes over and above to ensure our Foster Carers feel fully supported and valued. For the last two years running we have awarded 5 stars by our lovely team of Carers on our annual Foster Carer Annual Survey. This is also reflected in our Ofsted inspection, Foster Carers advising that no only did they feel they could talk to their Social Workers when needed but also anyone within the whole team. Whether it’s the mother’s/father’s day surprises or Foster Carer celebration days, we want you to know just how valued you are.
2. A family feel – We are a small independent Fostering Agency that specialises in covering the West Midlands, and as a smaller agency we have the benefit of really being able to get to know each of our Foster Carers and equally they all get to know the team at F5. This means that we are in a position to offer you more tailored support and guidance, and when it comes to matching you to children, we are not purely basing this on a few facts on a sheet of paper, but rather we are basing this what we feel would be a right for you and your family. Additionally, our offices (based in Birmingham) have an open door policy and as such we often get Foster Carers popping in for a coffee and chat, be this on a casual basis because they were in the area or whether this is for pre-planned support groups or training. Either way, our Foster Carers really know that they are part of a close and supportive team.
3. Training and professional development – We understand that fostering can be as challenging as it is rewarding at times, and it with this in mind we have created a training programme that is designed to support Foster Carers of all levels of experience. We offer blended training that includes group based training, 121 support based training with your social supervising worker and online courses. We have a set mandatory training programme that all Foster Carers will participate in, but we also have access to many other optional training courses that our Foster Carers can request to help their personal or professional development. In addition to our training programmes, we have guest speakers at our Foster Carer Support Groups, and our Registered Manager, Debbie, is always sharing sector updates and fostering related articles by emails to help you to always be “in the loop”
4. Competitive Financial Support – We believe that our Carers should be well rewarded for the work that they do, and certainly should not have to worry about the cost implications having an additional child in the house would bring. With that in mind we provide all of our Foster Carers with a robust financial support package to ensure that they can focus purely on the child in their care without additional worries.
We provide the following to all of our Foster Carers
- Generous weekly fee, with potential fee top ups where additional support levels are needed
- Annual Birthday grant to help you and your foster child celebrate their big day in style
- Annual Festival celebration grant – this could be used for Christmas/Eid/Diwali you choose
- Annual Holiday grant – Because every should have the opportunity to create great new memories
- Fully funded membership to Foster Talk (click here for further information)
So what is the process?
Well first things first, everything starts with a conversation, its important that you know all you need to about F5 Foster Care before you make the decision, and likewise we want to get to know you too, so following a chat with one of our lovely team we will arrange to come and see you at home (much like the initial visit you will have had when you first started fostering) If following this visit you decide to transfer over to F5, all you need to do is to let your current agency know that you will be moving on. From there we can handle everything on your behalf.
We will also at this time introduce you to your social worker with us who will complete a new assessment. This assessment is often faster than your original one. Once you are approved to Foster with F5 Foster Care at panel, you would this formally give 28 days’ notice and on day 28 you become an official part of #TeamF5.
You are able to transfer whether you have children or placement or not. If you have children currently in placement there is an additional meeting in which the child’s social worker is involved in where plans are discussed to ensure there is no disruption to the placement and to provide your new F5 social worker with important information that they may need to know. Our reputation with the Local Authorities is positive across the West Midlands so there should be need reason they wouldn’t be happy to support the move.
If you have a child or young person already placed with you?
If you want to transfer to us, you’ll need to give written notice to your existing agency as soon as possible and the placing authorities of the children you are caring for.
A meeting will then be convened by the placing authority/authorities – this may include commissioning/contracting officers as well as the children’s social worker, your current agency, F5 and yourselves.
Where there is more than one placing authority, the authority that has had children placed for the longest period with the foster carer will be generally be considered the ‘lead’ authority but by agreement. On occasion by agreement with the placing authorities sometimes F5 Fostering will convene this meeting.
The meeting will consider issues around the welfare of the child, the support they need, address issues around fees and timetable the next few months so everyone knows what is happening. It is unusual in our experience for this to present any difficulties as most local authorities don’t mind carers transferring to F5 Fostering from other agencies as we have a good reputation for looking after our carers and supporting them.
We will undertake an assessment and once the F5 Fostering panel has made its recommendation and the service indicates that it is ready to approve you, we will ask you to submit your resignation to your current agency and after the expiry of the 28 days’ notice period you will become a Compass Fostering carer.
If you don’t have a child placed with you?
You need to inform your current fostering service in writing that you are considering a move to another fostering service. It is perfectly ok for you to speak with us before you do this so we can come and visit you.
Once your notification to transfer has been received by your current agency you will be allocated a social worker that will undertake an assessment so you can be approved for F5 Foster Care which should only take 4 months or may be quicker if your agency is willing to release your original assessment to us. You will be able to take part in training with F5 Fostering during the assessment process and as part of your induction to F5 Fostering we will support you in becoming familiar with our policies and procedures.
Once the assessment has been completed we will let you know that we intend to seek your approval as a foster carer through the panel and decision maker, you should then give written notice of resignation to your current agency either by hand or by recorded delivery. Once submitted written notice of resignation automatically takes effect after 28 days from this date.
If you transfer from another independent fostering agency to F5 Fostering you will be receive carer payments equivalent to what you currently receive or more if the F5 carer payment is higher for any children currently in placement These rates will continue to apply for the duration of the placement, subject to any annual agreed increases and movement through the age bands. When you have any new placements you will move onto the F5 Foster Care payment scales with any future placements.