4.6.5 Annual Review of Foster Carers |
Contents
- Frequency
- Consultation and Action before the Review
- Formal Review Meeting
- Presentation to the Fostering Panel
- Termination of Approval
- After the Fostering Panel
- Representations Procedure
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.
A review may also be brought forward if there is either a wish to make changes to the carer's terms of approval which do not require a reassessment, or at the request of the carer.
As well as formal reviews, there will be regular dialogue and feedback between the supervising social worker and the foster carers.
2. Consultation and Action before the Review
Clerical Officer will notify supervising social worker of the reviews that are due and whether any statutory checks need to be updated.
The supervising social worker convenes a meeting, usually in the carer’s home and will send a letter of confirmation and requesting the Carer to write a report for the Review. The supervising social worker will give assistance to the carer where necessary.
Supervising social worker will complete the Foster Care Review Form prior to the review. Information will be available from the Placement Discharge Forms / Evaluation forms. The child’s social worker should be made aware by the supervising social worker that their comments will be shared with the carer.
In preparing this report, the Supervising Social Worker will meet the carer(s) and will seek the views of the following people:
- All members of the foster carers’ household;
- Children placed with the carer(s) during the review period;
- Children’s parent(s);
- Relevant social workers.
Reports/records collated from Supervision undertaken with carer(s) must be taken into account, as well as significant events since the last review.
If there are any health concerns, the supervising social worker will ask the foster carers concerned to obtain a medical report. The foster carers should be asked to consent to the report being made available to the Medical Adviser to the Fostering Panel.
The report must also take account of a health and safety check carried out by the Supervising Social Worker.
3. Formal Review Meeting
The formal review should be held at the foster home, attended by the supervising social worker, the foster carer, and members of the foster carers’ family.
The supervising social worker will chair the review
Following the review meeting the chair of the review will pass the Annual Review form to the Clerical Officer to go to Panel. This should be done within 10 working days of the review meeting.
The outcome of the Panel meeting will be given to the carers in writing by the Chair within 10 working days of the Panel meeting. If there is a change to approval two new Foster Parent Agreements will also be sent. The carers will be asked to sign one of the agreements and to return it in the stamped addressed envelope, which is provided.
4. Presentation to the Fostering Panel
When the panel consider the Annual Review Report, a copy of the foster carers’ Form F and any previous relevant Panel minutes should also be made available to the Panel.
The foster carers will be given 7 days in which to make any written observations and comments on the content of the review report and carer(s) will be invited to attend.
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.
5. Termination of Approval
Approvals must be formally terminated when it is decided that a foster carer is no longer available to foster for the Department or that they are no longer suitable. It is not sufficient to stop using them. Where carers want to have a break from fostering, a review of approval will be held if they return to fostering after 12 months, and if returning after 2 years then a reassessment will take place.
All carers who stop fostering will have a review of approval, which will be presented to Panel. Carers who cease to foster will be offered an exit interview, which will provide an opportunity for carers to feedback about the service they have received, for the Department to gather information about why carers stop fostering for Bromley and for the Department to express its appreciation of the care given by the carers. The Group Manager - Fostering will be responsible for arranging this exit interview in conjunction with Fostering Network.
The Clerical Officer will give notice of termination to carers and to the area Social Services Department. The Panel will recommend if further action is required and whether notice should be given to the Department of Health’s Consultancy List.
6. 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 Care Approval) for a decision to be made.
Whether or not the foster carers are present at the Panel, the Designated Manager (Foster Care Approval) will inform them in writing 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 Annual Household Review report 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.
7. 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 they have the opportunity to submit any written representations to the Panel they have the opportunity to do so within 28 days of the notice . Alternatively the foster care may request an Independent Review Panel as set out in Section 10 of the Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers Procedures. 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 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.
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