Transferring to Blue Sky Fostering

What service can I expect from Blue Sky?

With five consecutive Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ ratings, it's clear that Blue Sky goes the extra mile to support all our foster carers and children.

Blue Sky is a social worker-founded and led agency, and small enough to be responsive but large enough to offer security. We pride ourselves on achieving the very best for young people in our care and providing the best local support and training delivered by experienced and approachable social workers who know you and the children in your care. We work hard to ensure that your work is recognised and that you are valued as an equal member of the Blue Sky team. 

Blue Sky is a 'Tier 1 Approved Provider' for the majority of Local Authorities across the South of England. In practice, this means that we often receive referrals of children before other fostering agencies. So, whilst there is never any guarantee of a placement, you can be assured that Blue Sky will be the first to hear about a fostering placement if a child needs one. 

How long will transferring take and what’s involved?

Blue Sky is highly experienced in managing the transfer process on your behalf. However, we know from experience that you will be anxious about changing. You may be daunted by having to go through the approval process again, or you may be worried about how it might affect the placement of the children in your care. 

We know it is human nature to choose the status quo and to put up with the frustration, lack of support and feelings of being undervalued by your current agency because it’s easier than going through the transfer process. 

At Blue Sky, if you have been willing to devote your time to caring for young people in your home, we ensure that you receive our very best support. This starts from day one, with us working as quickly as possible to transfer you to our agency so you can continue to do the job you love, fully supported by our brilliant team. 

All fostering agencies subscribe to the Fostering Network's Transfer Protocol, which states: The transfer of carers Protocol is based on the assumption that carers have the right to freedom of movement between fostering services; the principle that, in all circumstances, the welfare of any child must be paramount. 

To view the full Protocol, click here. 

How long will the transfer take?

The process of transferring to Blue Sky is always discussed on an individual basis. However, on average, it takes around 4-6 months. Your current fostering agency is obliged to provide a range of information as part of the transfer, including access to your existing file. This does reduce the amount of work needed before you are ready to be registered by Blue Sky, and it will undoubtedly be far less intrusive than your first assessment. We promise to make the process as simple, efficient and swift as possible so you can continue fostering your current children without disruption.

What happens to the child in my care?

The process is extremely straightforward if you are looking to transfer and don’t currently have children in placement. If you have children presently placed with you, a Protocol Meeting will be arranged early in the process to discuss the needs of the children in your care and what services Blue Sky needs to continue delivering.

As a Tier 1 preferred provider with the majority of Local Authorities across the South of England, Blue Sky is highly regarded and will often already be personally known to your child’s Local Authority and social worker. 

Will I receive the same fostering allowances?

Blue Sky has a very competitive allowance scheme, and in many cases, you will be financially better off moving on to our allowances and benefits. However, if you currently receive a higher level of allowances or enhanced payments from your current agency, we will honour those payments. So our promise to you is that you will not be financially worse off by transferring to Blue Sky, and in many cases, you will be better off. 

If this concerns you, feel free to have a confidential conversation with one of our fostering advisors to ascertain what you will be paid before you decide to transfer. 

What are the next steps?

If you would like to explore joining the Blue Sky family,  fill in the form here to talk in confidence to an experienced Fostering Advisor. We promise not to speak with your current agency until you formally apply to us. If you would like to talk to a current Blue Sky foster carer, who has been through the transfer process, we can arrange that too.