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Moving house is a major life event at the best of times. When you’re also responsible for looking after foster children, it adds an extra layer of complexity to the process.
There are many factors to think about when relocating as a foster carer. With good planning and organisation, the move can go smoothly and limit disruption for any children in your care.
What Are the Key Things to Know When Moving House as a Foster Carer?
Changing Fostering Agencies
One of the first things to consider is whether you will need to change fostering agencies when you move.
Your current agency may only cover a certain geographical area. If your new home is located outside of their catchment, you’ll have to register with an agency that operates in the new region.
If the move is going to be some distance, it’s best to relocate when you don’t currently have children in your care.
This will allow you to get set up with the new agency and settled into the new home before welcoming new children.
Don’t leave this to the last minute. Make contact with fostering agencies in your new area as soon as you have a move date confirmed.
The process of transferring agencies can take several weeks with paperwork, background checks and home visits to complete. You’ll want to get the ball rolling early so there are no gaps in your approval status.
Informing Social Workers
Ensure all social workers involved with children in your care are kept updated about the move. They may need to amend care plans, especially if the new location makes access visits difficult.
Social workers will also want to help prepare the children for the upcoming changes. Give them as much notice about the move as possible so they can support the transition sensitively.
Preparing Foster Children
Moving home can be unsettling for any child. For foster children who may have already experienced a lot of upheaval, it can be especially challenging. There are several ways to help them get ready for the change:
- Explain the move in simple terms. Answer any questions honestly.
- Drive them past the new house so they can see it. Take photos to share.
- Ask for their input e.g., how they’d like their new bedroom decorated.
- Reassure them that their school, friends, etc., will stay the same if possible.
- Stick to normal routines leading up to the move to provide stability.
On moving day, make sure their favourite toys and comforting items are easily accessible in the chaos. Have familiar bedding ready to help their new bedroom feel more like home right away.
Settling into the New Home
Once moving day arrives, try to make the new house feel welcoming for the children straight away:
- Set up their bedrooms first so they have a space to call their own.
- Reassure them it’s normal to feel unsettled at first in a new place.
- Stick to regular routines like bedtime reading or stories to provide comfort.
- Unpack their toys and books first so they have familiar things to play with.
- Spend one-on-one time with each child listening to any concerns.
- Allow them to help unpack items for their room.
- Have some fun activities planned like baking cookies or decorating their room.
The first weeks can be challenging while everyone adjusts. Try to keep things low key until the new routine beds in.
Don’t worry if children seem out of sorts, bedtimes are disrupted or you’re living out of boxes at first.
With time, support and patience, the new house will start to feel like home for the whole family.