3.7.5 Review of Foster Carers |
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
This procedure applies to all approved foster carers.
Contents
- Frequency
- Consultation With Foster Carers Before the Review
- Formal Review Meeting
- Presentation to the Fostering Panel or Designated Manager
- After the Fostering Panel
- Representations Procedure
- Updates on Checks
- Retention of Foster Carer Records
1. Frequency
Formal reviews of foster carers will take place at least annually.
Reviews will take place more frequently in the event of a significant change in circumstances of a foster carer affecting the ability or capacity to foster, for example a change in the composition of the household, a significant health issue or concerns about the care provided by the foster carer as a result of a complaint or allegation.
As well as formal reviews, there will be regular dialogue and feedback between the family placement worker and the foster carer.
2. Consultation With Foster Carers Before the Review
Prior to the formal review, the family placement worker will send to the foster carer a copy of all the Foster Home Review Reports to enable them to prepare for the review in advance. The foster carer will have the opportunity to communicate his or her views in writing or verbally at the Review Meeting.
The family placement worker will also, as part of the formal review, seek the views of members of the foster carer’s household as well as the written comments and opinions as to the foster carer’s abilities from all social workers who have used the foster carer for a placement since the last formal review as recorded on the child’s social worker’s end of placement report. This will include contacting a social worker from outside the authority where appropriate.
The family placement worker will also seek and take into account the views of any child placed with the foster carer since the last review.
3. Formal Review Meeting
As part of the review, there will be a meeting held between the family placement worker and the foster carer at the foster home, chaired by a suitable independent person. At the review meeting, the agenda will be as set out in the Foster Carer Review Form.
As part of the review, the family placement worker will also carry out a health and safety check.
A full set of Review Forms will be compiled by the family placement worker and presented to the Fostering Panel or the Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers) for consideration.
4. Presentation to the Fostering Panel or Designated Manager
A report will be presented to the Fostering Panel on the foster carer’s first review and three-yearly thereafter, unless significant changes to the foster carer’s approval or the termination of the foster carer’s approval is recommended, or where any circumstances exist which in the opinion of the Designated Manager require consideration by the Fostering Panel. This will include the situation where an updating Criminal Records Bureau check reveals a new concern about the foster carer or a member of the household.
All other annual foster home review reports will be presented to the Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers).
The family placement worker will present the review findings and recommendations to the Fostering Panel or Designated Manager using the Annual Foster Home Review Forms which incorporate the views of the child or children placed, the written views of the foster carer and a report provided by a social worker. Any recommendations for change in the foster carer’s approval should be highlighted in the report.
Where the foster carer has decided to give up fostering, this should be recorded formally by the Fostering Panel as the termination of the foster carer’s approval to take effect 28 days from the date when written notice has been received from the foster carer.
5. After the Fostering Panel
Where the review is presented to the Fostering Panel, the Panel’s recommendation as to the future approval of the foster carer will be submitted to the Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers) for a decision to be made.
The family placement worker will inform the foster carer in writing of the outcome of the review.
A social worker from outside the authority who has a child placed with the foster carer will also be informed in writing of the outcome of the review.
Where the foster carer lives outside the authority, the local authority for the area where he/she resides will also be informed in writing of the outcome of the review.
A copy of the Review Forms and a record of the outcome of the review will be retained on the foster carer’s case record. The clerical staff in the Family Placement Service will also record any change in the foster carer’s approval on the Register of Foster Carers.
6. Representations Procedure
Where, as a result of a review, the variation or termination of a foster carer's approval is proposed, written notice of the proposal and the reasons must be sent to the foster carer within 7 days of the decision and he or she must be advised that if they wish to challenge the decision, representations should be submitted either in person to the next available Fostering Panel meeting or in writing. Notification/representation will need to be received by the Panel Clerk within 28 days of the date of the notice of the decision being sent to them. The Panel Clerk will then notify the foster carer within 7 working days of the date when the Panel will reconsider the matter
If no written representations are received within the period, a final decision to terminate or vary an approval can be made.
If written representations are received within the period, the matter must be referred to the Fostering Panel for further consideration. A friend or supporter may accompany foster carers wishing to make representations in person to the Panel.
The Panel will make a new recommendation in relation to the foster carer and the Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers) taking into account any fresh recommendation made by the Panel will make a final decision.
Written notice of the final decision, together with reasons, must then be sent to the foster carer within 7 working days of the decision.
Where the termination of the approval of a foster carer is being considered, plans for the termination of any current placement will also be required and made as appropriate.
6.1 Representations/Independent Review
If a decision is made to refuse an application, the applicant will be forwarded a letter to advise them that if they wishes to challenge the decision they should submit representations within 28 days of the date of the written notice of the decision to Clifford House.
They will also be notified they may exercise the right to apply to the Secretary of State to request a review of the decision by an Independent Review Mechanism Panel. Any such application must be made in writing within 28 days of the decision and supported by reasons.
If no written representations or notification of a request for a review are received within this period, the decision to refuse the application can be confirmed.
6.2 Review By the Fostering Panel
If written representations are received within the period, arrangements will be made for the reports and other documentation to be reconsidered by the Fostering Panel, taking into account the written representations, and make a new recommendation to the Agency Decision Maker.
The applicants will be advised within 7 days of the date of the Panel meeting when they can attend and their written representations will be considered.
In these circumstances, applicants who wish to attend the meeting of the Fostering Panel can arrange for a friend or supporter to accompany them.
After considering the representations, the Panel will make further recommendations either confirming or amending their previous views, which the Agency Decision Maker (Fostering) will consider before a final decision is made.
If the decision remains not to approve the application, the applicants will be informed verbally within 2 working days. Written notice of the final decision, together with reasons, must be sent to the applicant by the Panel Adviser within 7 working days of the Panel meeting.
The following information should be forwarded to the applicants:
- Information about the Complaints Procedure must also be sent;
- A copy of the report to the Panel, the Panel's recommendation and the decision, with reasons, must be retained on the applicant's case file;
- Information about the Independent Review Mechanism.
6.3 The Independent Review Mechanism
For more information about the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM), click on the link, to go to the IRM website.
If the applicant decides to refer the matter to an Independent Review Mechanism, the relevant Panel reports, any new information obtained since the Panel meeting, a record of the decision made and reasons, a copy of the written notification of the decision and a copy of the Panel minute, if different, will be sent to the Independent Review within 10 working days of their written request.
The procedure for the Independent Review is carried out by BAAF; the applicant and two representatives of the fostering agency will be invited to attend the Independent Review.
After considering the representations, the Independent Review may make a recommendation, which the Agency Decision Maker will consider before a final decision is made.
Written notice of the final decision, together with reasons, must be sent to the applicant within 7 working days of the receipt of the Independent Review recommendation.
7. Updates on Checks
Criminal Records Bureau checks should be updated every 3 years and if necessary, a review of the foster carer’s approval should be carried out immediately to take account of any new information.
See Persons Disqualified from Fostering Procedure
Medical information should also be updated at least every 3 years by arranging a medical with the foster carer’s GP. In the event of any serious concerns about the foster carer’s health, a review of the foster carer’s approval should be carried out immediately.
8. Retention of Foster Carers Records
The foster carer’s case record should be retained for a minimum of 10 years after his or her approval has been terminated.
End