When foster children move, they often lose many of their prized possessions due to lack of time to move, improper moving supplies (trash bags are known to rip), lack of care during moving (throwing trash bags in the back of a truck that fly out, or not properly caring for breakables while moving quickly). Often, this happens not because a foster parent or social worker doesn't care, but because they are rushing to get to the next big crisis. There are a few things that can be done to ensure that ALL of a child's belongings arrive together and safely.
Foster parents, one thing you can do before the move ever comes up, is to encourage the child to keep their belongings in one place and keep them tidy, so if/when the time comes to leave, they're less likely to forget anything.
Social workers, when transporting a child to a new home, allow the child and foster parents time to pack belongings. When the call is made on the way to their house and you expect to be there quickly and for them to be ready and waiting, it's extremely likely that they will lose many treasured items. It takes time to pack.
Foster parents, ensure that you check every area that the child uses for their items, as well as common rooms, as thoroughly as possible for any items they might have forgotten about. When moving quickly, it's easy to leave things behind.
Ensure that the child has better materials than a trash bag for moves. Do your best to ensure they have their own luggage or even just a backpack and/or duffle bag if that's all you can provide easily. No one should move with a trash bag, it's just demeaning.
Properly pack breakables to ensure they arrive at their new destination unharmed. Make sure they are also loaded onto the transport vehicle in a way that protects them from damage.
IF a child leaves something behind, please make every effort to get it back to the child, and in great condition if possible. Don't allow other children to play with special items - instead put them away for safekeeping until you're able to get them to a social worker or mail them to the new home.
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