Guide to Transferring Fostering Agency
Learn more about how to transfer from your current fostering provider, how the process works and why Swiis is the fostering agency of choice for foster carers across England and Scotland.
Considering Transferring from your Current Fostering Agency?
We know that the fostering agency you choose to work with is a hugely important decision.
At Swiis, we welcome both new and experienced foster carers. We are able to adapt our support to meet the needs of our carers whether they are taking their first steps towards a fostering career or have been working as a foster carer for a while.
We truly value our foster carers and ensure that we offer the support and guidance needed to enhance and progress your fostering skills – whatever stage you are at with your fostering career.
Swiis pay some of the highest allowances within the industry as we fully appreciate the hard work and full time commitment required from each carer. Swiis further provide unrivalled guidance and support to ensure that our foster carers can achieve the very best outcomes for the children they have in a home-finding arrangement.
Swiis offers a range of flexible core training which is mandatory, however most of which, if preferred, can be undertaken remotely at a time to suit them. Foster Carers will also be offered enhanced training which will help support those carers who wish to consider a specialist or enhanced arrangement.
Our continued commitment to all foster carers and our children and young people in an home-finding arrangement is to ensure that our carers feel valued and supported and that the children and young people feel safe and nurtured and are provided with opportunities that they would not have otherwise had.
If you are looking to transfer from your current fostering provider, Swiis will support you throughout the process and can, if you wish, arrange for you to undertake a ‘fast track’ assessment, which can be completed in as little as 2-3 months.
Why Should I Transfer to Swiis Foster Care?
12:1
96%
24/7
10
“
“I’m so glad I transferred. I’ve seen a real improvement in support and have more money to put towards my foster children”
Swiis Foster Carer
Swiis is Ofsted Outstanding across all regions.
The UK’s Largest Independent, Family-Owned Fostering Agency
Swiis Foster Care is the UK’s largest independent fostering agency which was founded in 1998 and remains a family-owned company.
We believe our foster carers deserve all the support we can possibly offer to ensure their arrangements are successful and they can make a positive difference to the children and young people they look after.
Work with Specialists
All Swiis offices have access to health and education specialists who work closely with carers to understand their child’s individual needs.
Social Opportunities for Foster Carers and Children
Our team of placement support workers offer a combination of practical and emotional support and organises activities which offer fantastic socialising opportunities for both the children and our carers.
Children and Foster Carers at the Heart of Everything We Do
We are committed to achieving the best outcomes for the ‘children in our care’, as evidenced by the exceptional retention rates and educational achievements, which are among the highest in the UK.
Generous Fostering Allowances
Swiis pays foster carers extremely well because we recognise the exceptional commitment and value our foster carers bring to the children’s lives and their future development.
Wide Range of Arrangement Opportunities
We have more first-tier Local Authority contracts than any other independent fostering agency, which means we are able to offer a much wider range of fostering opportunities.
‘Outstanding’ Ofsted Ratings
Swiis Foster Care have Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ awards for our North East, North West, Yorkshire, and Midlands & South services.
The Process of Transferring Fostering Agencies
If you would like to transfer to Swiis Foster Care, you will first have to let your current fostering agency or Local Authority know that you wish to transfer in writing.
You can contact a member of our team by filling out our enquiry form or calling our recruitment team on 0333 577 1234. We will need to discuss your individual circumstances with you over the phone and then we can handle everything from there.
The fostering agency or Local Authority you are currently with are obliged to provide a range of information during the transfer, including access to your current file, which will provide us with most of the information we require to transfer you quickly.
Swiis will ensure the transfer process is as smooth as possible, coordinating everything for you.
Learn More about Changing your Fostering Provider to Swiis
Have a question about transferring fostering agencies or Swiis Foster Care? Our advisory team are just a click away.
Frequently Asked Questions about Transferring Fostering Agencies
Will I Have to Do Another Assessment If I Transfer to a New Fostering Agency?
If you transfer to Swiis you will need to undertake another assessment, however we will be able to obtain substantial information from your current fostering provider, enabling us to complete this within a much shorter timescale than normal.
I Already Have a Child in My Care, What Happens If I Decide to Transfer Fostering Agencies?
If you are wishing to transfer to another fostering agency and have children currently placed with you, a ‘transfer protocol’ meeting will be arranged early in the transfer process to discuss the needs of those children and what services we will offer them. The ‘transfer protocol’ meeting is a formality and is used to ensure that your new fostering agency can continue to support the needs of the child or young person in your care when you transfer to Swiis.
As a preferred provider with the majority of Local Authorities in the UK, we will already be known to your child’s Local Authority and Social Worker.
Can I Transfer to a Private Fostering Agency from a Local Authority?
Yes, you can transfer from a Local Authority. Swiis will work with your current Local Authority to make sure the transition is smooth for you and that everyone understands each step.
What Training Will I Have to Undertake Before Transferring to Swiis?
As a currently approved foster carer you will not be required to undertake training prior to transferring to Swiis. The option for you to undertake the normal pre-approval training we provide is open to you should you wish.
Swiis also provides a comprehensive range of mandatory training for our foster carers which they are required to undertake within the first year period. As a currently approved foster carer, we will review the training you have undertaken within the last year with your current fostering provider and provide the training which is required. Optional specialist training for those foster carers who wish to progress onto more challenging placements is also available.
Face-to-face and webinar training is widely available for all foster carers.
How Long Will It Take to Transfer Fostering Agencies?
We estimate the total transfer time will be between 2 and 3 months. However, this is dependent upon the receipt of timely information from your current fostering provider. Swiis have a dedicated administrative team whose sole responsibility is to ensure that this information is received in a timely manner.
Can Foster Carers be Registered with More Than One Fostering Provider?
No, foster carers can only be approved by one provider at any one time.
How Much Do Swiis Foster Carers Get Paid?
In most instances Swiis pay significant higher weekly fees than most other independent fostering agencies. However, for transferring foster carers, it is guaranteed that your fee will not be less than you are receiving from your current fostering provider, as the amount you are currently receiving is protected.
The amount of fostering allowance you are paid will depend on the number of children you are able to foster. As a rule, each child who you foster will be required to have their own room. On occasion, younger siblings may share a room if this has been agreed by the Local Authority. All children will need their own room from the age of 10 years.
When you transfer to Swiis, in addition to your weekly allowance, Swiis provides all our transferring foster carers with a one-off Welcome Support payment. This is to ensure you have everything you need to commence your fostering journey with us.
Swiis also have a range of additional benefits available to transferring foster carers, such as paid respite*, and when you holiday with your child and/or young person in your care, we will pay an additional weekly payment to assist with the cost of the holiday*. We also provide all foster carers with annual birthday and festivity payments and an annual bonus following your successful annual review.*
One Child
Up to
£625
/week
Swiis pay excellent allowances. Together with outstanding support from Swiis, our foster carers play a significant role in transforming the lives of vulnerable children.
Swiis foster carer’s pay for one child in arrangement is the equivalent to £32,500. All of which is TAX FREE.
Enhanced One Child
Up to
£1,380
/week
Swiis will pay an enhanced fee if we are only able to place one child who, due to additional needs, is required to be placed on their own with no other children.
Swiis foster carer’s pay for an enhanced arrangement is equivalent to £71,760. £47,220 of this is TAX FREE for a child over 11 years old. £43,060 is tax free for under 11s.
Two Siblings
Up to
£1,218
/week
Foster Carers who are able to accommodate two siblings of any age will be paid a greater fee.
Swiis foster carers pay for two siblings is Equivalent to £63,336. All of which is TAX FREE.
Two Unrelated Children
Up to
£1,250
/week
Foster carers who are able to accommodate two unrelated children will be paid a higher fee. You must have two available bedrooms.
Swiis foster carer pay for 2 unrelated children is equivalent to £65,000. All of which is TAX FREE.
Parent & Child Arrangement
Up to
£1,167
/week
Foster carers who undertake a Parent and Child arrangement will receive specialist training and support. These arrangements tend to last no longer than 12 weeks.
Swiis foster carer’s pay for a Parent and Child arrangement is Equivalent to £14,004 for a 12-week arrangement. All of which is TAX FREE*.
*This is based on the pay from Parent & Child Arrangement not exceeding £40,420 in any one tax year.
Please note the above pay and allowances are an indication of the weekly payments made for each arrangement type. All fees vary as each arrangement is assessed on an individual basis and can differ by region.
Fostering Allowances are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change, talk to a member of the Swiis team to discuss how the finances could work for you. For current tax free allowances, please see the Gov.uk website.