Fostering and other adults in the home

Foster carers’ new partners

Some foster carers may be approved when they are single but form a new partnership or significant relationship during their fostering career. Others may experience a breakdown in relationship with their partner, or a partner may move out of, or return to, the household due to work or other commitments. While relationships are a part of normal family life, it is important to ensure that children are safeguarded and cared for in families that are safe, loving, and secure. 

Relationships are personal and foster carers have the right to as normal an experience as possible. However, foster carer’s must inform their fostering service of any major change in personal circumstances, and the impact on the wider fostering household will need to be considered. 

Local guidance from the fostering service should also help foster carers to navigate changes to their household and the impact this may have, and the service expectations at every stage need to be clear.