• contents
• keywords & contacts
• quick guide
• values
• contact us
• search

Contents

1. Frequency     
2. Consultation and Action before the Review
3. Formal Review Meeting 
4. Presentation to the Fostering Panel
5. After the Fostering Panel 
6. Representations/Independent Visitor Procedure  
7. Updates on Checks
8. Retention of Foster Carer Records 

1. Frequency

Formal reviews of foster carers will take place at least annually.

Reviews will take place more frequently and may be initiated by the supervising social worker or foster carers 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, for example as a result of a complaint or allegation. 

As well as formal reviews, there will be regular dialogue and feedback between the supervising social worker and the foster carers - see Supervision and Support of Foster Carers Procedure.

2. Consultation and Action before the Review

Prior to the formal review, the supervising social worker will complete and send the foster carers a copy of their report to enable them to prepare for the review in advance. The foster carers will be asked to complete a questionnaire (Form FSR2) to communicate their views in writing to the review.

The supervising social worker will also, prior to the formal review, seek the views of all members of the foster carers’ household including the children of the foster family (on Form FSR3) as well as the written views of all children placed (on Form FSR 4). The views of the social workers who have used the foster carers for a placement since the last formal review will be provided via their Reports on Placement Ending (Form FSR1). This will include contacting a social worker from outside the authority where appropriate.

The supervising social worker will also seek the views of the parents of children placed in relation to placements made since the last review. These views may be sought via the child’s social worker or directly. The supervising social worker will also request the written views of the social workers for any child in placement.

Prior to the review meeting but as part of the formal review, the supervising social worker will also carry out a health and safety check, and any issues of concern should be raised at the review meeting. 

Children's Workforce Development Council standards for foster carers need to be met. Personal development plans must be completed for each carer and this should be linked to their training and their annual review.

Details of the carers' development and training should be made available to agencies if the carer moves into another local authority area.

3. Formal Review Meeting

There will be a formal review meeting held at the foster home attended by the supervising social worker, the foster carer, and members of the foster carers’ family (if appropriate). A team manager from the Fostering Service will chair the review.

At the review meeting, the agenda will cover all the areas set out in the Foster Carer Review Form.

This will include an appraisal of the foster carers’ competencies, their training and development needs, together with an evaluation of the training received since the last review, their views of the service and support provided as well as the appropriateness of placements made, the care provided by the foster carers and any under/over use of the foster care resource.

The chairperson will complete a Review Form and any recommendations discussed with the foster carers will be recorded.

The foster carers should have the opportunity to put their views on the recommendations in writing to be presented to the Fostering Panel or the Manager of the Fostering Service when the Review Form is considered. 

4. Presentation to the Fostering Panel

A written report will be presented to the Fostering Panel on the foster carer’s first annual review and thereafter, every three years. 

Otherwise, unless there are specific issues of concern - see next paragraph - the Manager of the Fostering Service will consider the Review Form and, where no changes are recommended, the supervising social worker will confirm in writing to the foster carers their re-approval. 

Where changes to or termination of the foster carers’ approval is recommended or where any circumstances exist which in the opinion of the Manager of the Fostering Service require consideration by the Fostering Panel, a written report will be presented to the Fostering Panel. This will include the situation where a Strategy Meeting has been held or an updating Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check reveals a new concern about the foster carer or a member of the household.

The written report for the Fostering Panel will include the Review Form incorporating Forms FSR 1, 2, 3 and 4 and the views of the parents of any children placed. A copy of the foster carers’ Form F and any previous relevant Panel minutes should also be attached to the report.  Any recommendations for change in the foster carers’ approval should be highlighted in the report.

The foster carers will be given 7 days in which to make any written observations and comments on the content of the review report.

The original report and 14 anonymised copies of the report (and attachments) should be sent to the Panel Administrator at least 10 working days before the relevant Panel meeting.

Foster carers should be invited to attend Fostering Panel when their review is being considered, and the Panel Administrator should be informed if they intend to do so. 

Where the Review recommends the termination of approval of foster carers, the review should be presented to the earliest possible Fostering Panel. 

Where the Fostering Panel’s recommendation is for a different category of approval, the Panel may require further assessment or training for the foster carer.

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. At the same time as receiving the foster carer’s written notice, the Panel should receive a copy of the foster carer’s last review and a brief written summary of the carer’s fostering history with Enfield.

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 (Foster Carer Approval/Termination of Approval) for a decision to be made.

Whether or not the foster carers are present at the Panel, the Designated Manager (Foster Carer Approval/Termination of Approval) will inform them in writing of the outcome of the review. 

The supervising social worker will also write to any social worker from outside the authority with a child placed with the foster carers to inform them of the outcome of the review.

Where the foster carers lives outside the borough, 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 Form and a record of the outcome of the review will be retained on the foster carers’ case record. 

The administrative staff in the Fostering Service will also record any change in the foster carers’ approval on the Register of Foster Carers. Where such a change has been agreed, an amended Foster Care Agreement will be sent to the foster carer for signature and return for retention on the records.

6. Representations/Independent Review 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.

The foster carers must be advised that if they wish to challenge the decision, they have the opportunity to make representations to the Panel or to request a review by an Independent Review Panel as set out in Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers.

The only circumstances where the foster carer will not have the right to request a review by an Independent Review Panel is if he or she is regarded as disqualified as a result of a conviction or caution for a specified offence - see Persons Disqualified from Fostering Procedure.

If no written representations or request for a review are received within the period, a final decision to terminate or vary an approval can be made.

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.

7. Updates on Checks

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on persons aged 16 and over should be updated every 3 years and if necessary, a review of the foster carers’ 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 2 years, or where the foster carer is over 60, annually. 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.

A report should be obtained from the schools attended by the foster carer’s own children every 3 years.

8. Retention of Foster Carer Records

Foster carers’ case records should be retained for a minimum of 10 years after their approval has been terminated.

End