1.3 Explain the effects that changes may have on the child or young person and others

This guide will help you answer 1.3 Explain the effects that changes may have on the child or young person and others.

Entering or moving within foster care can have a profound effect on children, young people, and those around them. Change may involve moving from their birth family into care, moving between foster placements, or leaving foster care for adoption or independent living.

Each of these situations can trigger a wide range of responses, often emotional and behavioural. Understanding these effects is key for workers supporting the child and their wider network.

Emotional Impact on the Child or Young Person

A shift in living situation can cause strong emotions. They may feel sadness, anger, relief, fear, or confusion. This is because foster care often signals loss of familiar surroundings, routines, and people.

Common emotional responses include:

Feeling abandoned or rejected
Anxiety about the unknown future
Guilt over leaving siblings or birth parents
Relief if previous home life involved neglect or abuse
Hope for a safer environment

Children often struggle to process these feelings, leading to sudden mood changes or withdrawal. For younger children, such emotions may show through clinginess or changes in play patterns. Older children may express feelings verbally or through arguments and defiance.

Social Effects

Changing foster placements means moving into a new social setting. The child must adapt to new carers, possible foster siblings, and sometimes pets. It might also involve moving schools, changing friendship groups, or adjusting to different neighbourhoods.

These changes can cause:

Loss of familiar support networks
Difficulty trusting new peers
Feeling isolated or like “the outsider” in the foster home
Pressure to explain their situation to others

If the child has strong attachments to previous friends, losing regular contact can be upsetting. Social integration may take time, and some may avoid forming close bonds for fear of another change.

Educational Effects

Foster care changes can disrupt schooling. A move can mean new teachers, classrooms, curriculum, and assessment methods.

The child may face:

Falling behind academically
Difficulty adjusting to different teaching styles
Anxiety in unfamiliar environments
Problems with school attendance due to placement changes

This disruption can affect confidence. Consistency in support is important to help rebuild their learning progress.

Behavioural Changes

Behaviour may alter in response to the stress of change. Some may become quiet and withdrawn, others may act out. A child could show signs of regression, such as bedwetting or reverting to earlier speech patterns.

Possible behaviour changes include:

Anger and aggression
Defiance towards authority
Self-isolation
Risk-taking behaviour in adolescence
Over-compliance to please carers

These responses often reflect attempts to regain a sense of control or to test the trust of new carers. Recognising these patterns can help staff respond appropriately and without judgement.

Attachment and Trust Issues

Attachment refers to the bond a child forms with caregivers. Breaking an attachment can be painful and may weaken trust in adults. Children who have experienced several foster placements may find it harder to trust new carers.

Effects may show as:

Avoiding closeness
Reluctance to share personal feelings
Fear of rejection
Seeking attention from multiple people without deep connection

Carers need to build trust slowly and consistently, using predictable routines and clear boundaries.

Identity and Sense of Belonging

Foster care can affect how a child sees themselves. They may question their value, their place in the world, or feel different from peers. For those nearing adulthood, identity issues can affect choices about relationships and career paths.

Loss of belonging may happen if a child feels they do not fit into the foster family’s lifestyle. This is more noticeable if the foster family’s culture, religion, or language differs from the child’s background.

Impact on Birth Family

Changes in foster care affect parents, siblings, and extended family. They may feel guilt, grief, anger, or helplessness. Siblings can struggle with separation and may miss shared daily life. Parents may worry about their child’s wellbeing and may struggle with their own circumstances.

Some birth family members might feel judged or resentful towards foster carers or social workers. Others may feel relieved if they believe foster care is safer for the child.

Impact on Foster Carers

Foster carers face adjustment too. They may need to adapt routines to include the child’s needs. This might require managing challenging behaviour, supporting education, and helping the child build trust.

Possible effects on foster carers:

Emotional strain from supporting the child through trauma
Stress from managing contact with birth family
Pressure from social services and agencies
Need for training in specific care areas

Carers may also experience joy if the child thrives and bonds within their home.

Impact on Professionals and Support Workers

Social workers, educators, and health staff involved with the child are affected by changes within foster care. They may need to revise plans, coordinate new services, and respond to emotional crisis situations.

Possible challenges include:

Increased workload during transition periods
Maintaining accurate records
Balancing the interests of all parties involved
Ensuring continuity of care despite moves

Communication between agencies is critical during transitions to reduce the risk of service gaps.

Positive Effects

Not all effects are negative. Foster care changes can offer opportunities for growth and stability. If moving to a home where carers are supportive, the child may:

Gain a sense of safety
Build positive attachments
Improve school performance
Develop healthier coping strategies
Access consistent healthcare

These positive changes can reshape self-esteem and future outcomes.

Strategies to Support Children During Changes

Workers can help reduce negative effects by using supportive approaches.

Effective strategies include:

Preparing the child with clear information about the change
Giving them a chance to visit the new home or school beforehand
Keeping some continuity, like maintaining important routines
Encouraging contact with trusted friends and family
Offering emotional and counselling support

Using simple, honest language avoids confusion and builds trust.

Communication and Listening

Listening to the child helps them feel valued in decision-making. Workers should use open-ended questions to allow expression of concerns.

Tips for effective communication:

Maintain eye contact and give full attention
Avoid rushing the conversation
Acknowledge feelings without judgement
Use age-appropriate language

Feedback and reassurance can reduce fear and uncertainty.

Preparation for Independent Living

Changes in foster care also involve older young people leaving to live on their own. This transition can bring both excitement and worry. The stress may cause temporary setbacks.

Support can involve teaching skills such as:

Budgeting and money management
Cooking and nutrition
Housing rights and responsibilities
Accessing healthcare

Practical preparation helps build confidence for a successful transition.

Maintaining Stability

Stability helps the child adapt to changes. Workers should aim to provide consistency through routines, regular contact with key workers, and predictable care patterns.

Maintaining stability can involve:

Keeping the same school wherever possible
Arranging regular visits with friends or siblings
Clear communication about schedules
Predictable family rules and boundaries

Consistency supports emotional balance and reduces anxiety during foster care changes.

Family Contact

Contact with birth family can be complex during foster care changes. It may be supervised or unsupervised depending on previous circumstances. The child’s feelings about contact can change over time.

Workers should manage contact carefully, ensuring the child’s emotional safety and respecting agreed plans. This can strengthen relationships where appropriate or support healthy boundaries if contact is distressing.

Cultural and Religious Considerations

Changes in foster care may involve moving to a home with different cultural practices or religious beliefs. Workers should support the child in maintaining their identity.

This can involve:

Respecting dietary or clothing preferences
Supporting attendance at religious services
Including cultural traditions in daily life

This helps maintain self-esteem and prevents loss of heritage.

Long-term Effects

Frequent changes in foster care can leave lasting impacts. Adults who experienced unstable foster placements may recall feelings of insecurity, mistrust, and difficulty forming relationships. Those who had stable placements often report positive memories and improved life outcomes.

Early and ongoing support during transitions can help reduce negative long-term effects and strengthen resilience.

Final Thoughts

Change within foster care affects many lives. For a child or young person, it can shake their sense of security, identity, and belonging. Emotional, social, and educational impacts may overlap, creating complex needs. For foster carers, birth families, and professionals, the change brings new responsibilities and pressures.

Workers who recognise and respond to these effects can make a difference. Preparing the child, maintaining stability, and encouraging open communication help ease transitions. Supporting emotional health and identity, alongside practical needs, offers the best chance for the child or young person to adapt positively and thrive in their new circumstances.