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Contents

1. Frequency
2. Consultation with Foster Carers before the Review
3. Formal Review Meeting
4. Presentation to the Fostering Panel or Fostering Service Manager
5. After the Fostering Panel
6. Representations and Independent Review
7. Updates on Checks
8. Retention of Foster Carer Records

1. Frequency

Formal reviews of foster carers will take place at least annually. NB The first review will take place six months after approval and thereafter reviews will be at least every 12 months.

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 supervising social worker and the foster carer. Areas of concern or the need for additional support that are identified between reviews should be addressed at the time rather than waiting for reviews.

2. Consultation with Foster Carers before the Review

Prior to the formal review, the  foster carers' supervising social 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 supervising social 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 supervising social 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 supervising social 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 supervising social worker will also carry out a health and safety check.

A full set of Review Forms will be compiled by the supervising social worker and presented to the Fostering Panel or the Fostering Service Manager for consideration.

4. Presentation to the Fostering Panel or Fostering Service Manager

A report will be presented to the Fostering Panel on the foster carer's first review and following any other review where 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 Fostering Service Manager require consideration by the Fostering Panel. This will include the situation where an updating Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check reveals a new concern about the foster carer or a member of the household. For further information, see the Fostering Panel Procedure.

All other annual foster home review reports will be presented to the Fostering Service Manager.

The supervising social 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 Agency Decision Maker for a decision to be made.

The supervising social 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 Fostering Service will also record any change in the foster carer's approval on the Register of Foster Carers.

6. Representations and Independent Review

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, one of two routes are available:

1. To apply for an Independent Review (see Appendix 6, Independent Review Mechanism Protocol of the Fostering Panel Procedure.)
2. To make a representations to the Fostering Panel - see Fostering Panel 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.

7. Updates on Checks

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) 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 Procedures

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