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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 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 of Foster Carers Procedure.

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.

2. Consultation and Action before the Review

Prior to the review meeting the views of the foster carers, members of the foster carers’ household, including the children of the foster family (in an age-appropriate way)and the children who is or has been in placement throughout the year will be sought. The supervising social worker will also, prior to the formal review, seek the views as well as the written comments and opinions as to the foster carers’ abilities from all social workers who have used the foster carers for a placement since the last formal review. This will include contacting a social worker from outside the authority where appropriate.

Where there is a health concern, the supervising social worker will ask the foster carers concerned to either undertake a medical or obtain a report from their GP or a suitably qualified medical practitioner. The foster carers will also be asked to consent to the report being made available to the Medical Adviser to the Fostering Panel.

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 (in an age-appropriate way) as well as the written comments and opinions as to the foster carers’ abilities from all social workers who have used the foster carers 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 the views of any child placed with the foster carers and his or her parents (where the parents have had contact) 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. 

3. Formal Review Meeting

There will be a formal review meeting held at the foster home attended by the supervising social worker, the foster carers, members of the foster carers’ family (if appropriate). A chairperson may also be involved and this may be another practitioner or manager. 

At the review meeting, the agenda will include an appraisal of the foster carers’ training and development needs, an evaluation of the training received since the last review, the foster carers’ 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.

If a chairperson is present they  will complete the Review form, if the no chairperson is present this will be completed by the supervising social worker, Any recommendations discussed with the foster carers will be recorded. The views of the foster carers should be included on the Review form.

4. Presentation to the Fostering Panel

A copy of the Review documentation will be presented to the Fostering Panel on the foster carer’s first annual review. The written comments of other professionals such as Health Visitors and teachers should also be sought by the report writer.

Thereafter, unless there are specific issues of concern - see next paragraph - the Fostering Senior Care manager 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 Fostering Senior Care manager require consideration by the Fostering Panel, a written report will be presented to the Fostering Panel. This will include the situation where there has been a Child Protection Investigation, or serious concerns about the care provided or where an updating of Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks reveals a new concern about the foster carer or a member of the household. It would also include significant changes in the carer’s circumstances.

Where the report is to be presented to the Fostering Panel, a copy of the foster carers’ original Form F and any previous relevant Panel minutes and review reports  should also be attached to the report. 

The foster carers will be given 14 days in which to make any written observations and comments on the content of the review report.

The original report and attachments should be sent to the Panel Administrator at least 10 working days before the relevant Panel meeting.

Foster carers will 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.

The foster carers may invite a support person who may be a  friend, a member of BAFA( Bradford’s Association of Foster Carers and Adopters)or solicitor to support them but this person may not speak or advocate for them but may assist in their preparation for panel

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 (Fostering Approval Panel)

Where, as a result of a review, the variation or termination of a foster carer’s approval is proposed, the Designated Manager( Fostering Panel ) will write to the foster carer within 10 days of receiving the recommendations and minutes giving written notice of the proposals, whether she/he is minded to accept them along with his/her reasons and inviting the foster carers to submit any written representations within 28 days as set out in Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers Procedure.

If no written representations are received within the period, a decision to terminate or vary an approval can be made. If representations are received see Section 6, Representations Procedure.

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.

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 live outside Bradford, 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 Panel’s administrative staff will then 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 returned for retention on the records.

When carers are in receipt of professional fees these will either be amended either from the date the decision was signed by Designated Manager (Fostering Carer Approval and Review) or, where  the recommendation would result in a decrease in of  fees, or is recommending  termination of registration 28 days notice will be given from the date the Designated manager writes asking for representations.

In either of these cases of these cases the procedures will follow those outlined in Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers Procedure. Any backdated fees owed would be paid in line with the decision.

6. Representations Procedure

Where, as a result of a review, the variation or termination of a foster carer’s approval is proposed, the Designated Manager( Fostering Approval Panel ) must write to the foster carers within 10 days of receiving the recommendations and minutes, giving written notice of the proposals, whether she / he is minded to accept them along with his / her reasons and inviting the foster carers to submit any written representations to the Panel as set out in Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers Procedure. If written representations are received within the period, a final decision to terminate or vary an approval can be made.

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 checks and all other statutory checks on persons aged 18 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 3 years by writing to 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 Carer Records

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

End