Ending a Placement

Placements can end naturally or because of a unforeseen situation. There are many reasons why a placement ends such as:

• The child returns to their family;
• The placement breaks down;
• The child is moved to another placement;
• The young person is old enough to live independently;
• The child/young person is adopted - either by another family, family member or possibly you.

Wherever possible when a placement is coming to an end, a plan should be developed to move the child/young people. The child/young person might be feeling worried about what is going to happen to them even if the move is one that they feel positive about.

You may feel anxious about the child/young person's move too, this is natural, that's why it is important for everyone that there is a clear plan about what will happen and who will do what. It is really important that you talk to your Supervising Social Worker, especially if you think that the move is not in the child's best interests.

As part of our end of placement process in Solihull, we aim to ensure that the life story of children and young people is clearly documented.

Foster carers will be required to write a letter directly to any child leaving their care, whether this a short, long term or respite placement. 

A copy of the letter will be saved on the child's file, should they wish to return to read their records and shared directly with the child if deemed appropriate.

The example letters will support you in this task and provide some guidance on what you may wish to include. You can also speak to your supervising social worker, who will also be available to provide support if required.

Please see example letters in Risk Assessments Templates and Forms.

You have an important part to play in helping the child to move and should be positive about it even if it is in difficult circumstances. When you are talking to the child about the move be positive about why they are moving and what will happen.

Plan "goodbyes" for friends and family members that the child is close to. If you have your own children, they may also need some support to manage the end of a placement and their feelings around the changes.  A family support worker in the fostering team may be able to complete some direct work with your own children to help them in such situations.

You should put together information about the child/young person's daily routine, likes/dislikes and any other important information that will help the new carer and let the child's social worker know if you are happy to talk to the new carer.

If the child/young person has photographs, life story book and other information about the time that they have spent with you, you should make sure that they go with them.

Make sure you pack all important documents such as their passport.

You should provide clear instructions about any medication or appointments the child may have.

The child's belongings should be moved in a suitcase or holdall and never be transported in bin-bags or other inappropriate containers (see NYAS, My Things Matter Report).

Let the child know what contact they may have with you in the future and provide them with photographs and mementoes of their time with you.

If a placement ends without this being planned, a disruption meeting may be held. A disruption meeting is an opportunity for everyone who has been involved in the child/young person's care to look at what has happened, what went well and what could have gone better. This helps not only you as a carer but may help the child in future placements.