When Your Agency Isn’t the Right Fit: Why These Foster Carers Chose to Transfer

Tuesday 09 June 2026
Last updated: Thursday 11 June 2026

Finding the right agency for you and your family is so important. Iain and Barry found this out when they embarked on their journey as Foster Carers. While their relationship with Sebastian, their foster child, blossomed, they didn’t feel that same warmth or support from their agency. They chose to transfer to Five Rivers, where they feel better supported and genuinely listened to as a family. They shared: “We have a really good relationship with our new Social Worker, and we find the team a breath of fresh air; they work with us to solve issues rather than just saying no.”

In this interview, Iain and Barry share their journey into fostering and the support they received along the way. They highlight the value of training, the strength they found in peer support, and the difference the right fostering agency can make. They also reflect on the impact fostering has had on their family, particularly how well their sons embraced the experience.

What made you decide the time was right to start fostering?

We adopted our two sons in 2009 and 2012 and had always talked about fostering once our children were older and understood what that meant and felt comfortable with us doing it. In 2020, we decided that the timing was right for the whole family and started applying.
We were originally with another agency before moving over to Five Rivers. We fostered two children with our previous agency, and they were with us for a year but ultimately, they were not a good fit, but I think it gave us a jump start into fostering; we had every problem you could imagine and had to work through it. Then we met Sebastian* who was a perfect fit for our family, but we didn’t feel like our previous agency could offer him the support he needed. That’s when we decided to transfer over to Five Rivers, and we’ve never looked back.

What made you choose to transfer to Five Rivers?

We believe it’s important to advocate for your foster child the same way you would for your own child, but our previous agency didn’t agree. Five Rivers are more open to ideas, adaptable and readily available to talk when needed.
We have a really good relationship with our new Social Worker, and we find the team a breath of fresh air; they work with us to solve issues rather than just saying no.

Can you tell us about your fostering journey with Five Rivers?

Five Rivers has helped us get psychological analysis for Sebastian which is something he will receive each year, and we have a level of clinical support that we have never received before joining Five Rivers. We are also really lucky to have a Social Worker who goes out of her way to help us find answers to our questions; if she doesn’t know the answer, she finds the person who does.
Five Rivers really support the whole family; our oldest child needed support, and our Supervising Social Worker, got them the help they needed.

How did your sons adapt to having Sebastian live with them?

We have been fostering with Five Rivers for 2 years now, but we have been fostering for 5 years, and Sebastian has been with us for a long time.

Our youngest, who is now 15, actually cried when he first met Sebastian because he thought he was so cute. Our eldest son, who is now 18, took on a more parental role with Sebastian, doting on him and taking on the “big brother” role quite quickly. They all have similar personalities and sense of humours and they get along really well. Sebastian actually refers to both boys as his brothers.

How did you find the process and training when joining Five Rivers?

The whole process of transferring to Five Rivers was relatively easy, and when we first joined the agency, we did a weekend away with other Foster Carers where we all took part in different training sessions. Our Social Worker also pinpoints the courses that are relevant to us and the ones she feels will be helpful. She knows our interests, so she knows which ones we would like to do.

How important is your support network as a Foster Carer?

We’re quite lucky to have a really good support network, and we have also gone to a few fostering social functions where we have met some really nice people. I really enjoy these meetups because you get to talk to people who are going through similar things to you, and you can learn from them and share your experiences. There is a real community.

How have you felt supported by the team at Five Rivers?

We previously had a situation with our oldest son who had to leave college for mental health reasons, and our Social Worker actually helped us with that by getting him counselling. The additional support that we receive not only for ourselves, but our whole family unit has been so helpful. It makes sure everyone feels supported and happy.

How has your approach to fostering changed since you first started?

In the very beginning we did make mistakes, but we have learned from them. Clear communication is important and we didn’t have that before, but we feel like we have that now. I think we are also more relaxed, and Five Rivers has really helped with that. We both work full-time, but Sebastian doesn’t have additional needs, so it does make it a little easier.

Five Rivers have really helped us find the balance we never had before, the team are also very good at balancing our needs.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a Foster Carer?

Whenever we hear Sebastian say he has had the “best day ever” after we’ve spent the day together, that’s so special to us. Also, seeing him have the confidence to articulate his feelings clearly, which was a real struggle for him, he has come a long way and we’re so proud of how far he has come.

What personal strengths have you discovered in yourselves through fostering?

Patience and feeling confident enough to give others advice. We have also learned the value of time and spending time together as a family; the impact of that alone is immeasurable.

What do you wish you had known when you started your fostering journey?

That Five Rivers existed. And never compromise what you already have with your family unit. We felt like we had to take on Emergency Placements even though it didn’t feel right, so I would say, if things don’t feel right, you should raise that with your Supervising Social Worker and say no when you need to. It’s okay to say no.

What advice would you give to anyone considering fostering?

To anyone considering fostering, make sure you pick the right agency for you and also make sure the placement is right for you and your family; it has to be the right fit for everyone.

Watch Barry and Iain’s Full Story

Discover their journey and how it shaped where they are now.

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