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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. Termination of Approval and Changes in the Terms of Approval
6. After the Fostering Panel
7. Representations Procedure
8. Updates on Checks
9. 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. 

The first annual review of foster carers will be presented to the Fostering Panel

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.

2. Consultation and Action before the Review

Prior to the formal review, the supervising social worker will send the foster carers a copy of the Foster Home Review Report to enable them to prepare for the review in advance.  The foster carers will have the opportunity to communicate their views verbally or in writing to the supervising social worker. Some foster carers may need support to complete this form for example where English is not their first language.

Where there is a health concern, the supervising social worker will ask the foster carers concerned to obtain a medical 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. It may also be necessary to contact other professionals such as teachers or health visitors in relation to the carers' aptitudes.

The supervising social worker must visit the carer's home as part of the review, and they must see children's bedrooms and review the safety of the accommodation.

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 and if they are unresolved, discussed 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 carer, and members of the foster carers' family (if appropriate) and an independent chairperson.  In the absence of an independent chairperson, a team manager from the Fostering Service will chair the review.

The chairperson of the review should inspect the foster children's bedrooms prior to the start of the meeting.

At the review meeting, the agenda as set out in the Foster Carer Review Form 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

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 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 review. 

Otherwise, 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 an updating Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check reveals a new concern about the foster carer or a member of the household.

The written report will incorporate the views of the child or children placed and their parents, the written views of the foster carers and any report provided by a social worker particularly where concerns have been expressed about a placement with the foster carers.  Any recommendations for change in the foster carers' approval should be highlighted in the report.

Where the report is to be presented to the Fostering Panel, a copy of the foster carers' Luton Fostering Assessment Form and any previous relevant Panel minutes should also be attached to 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 report  should be sent to the Panel Administrator (post approval) one month before the fostering panel meeting which is due to consider the review. The Panel Administrator will send the panel members the relevant reports ten days before the 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. 

5. Termination of Approval and Changes in the Terms of Approval

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.

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 Carer Approval and Review) for a decision to be made.

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

Where the foster carers lives outside of Luton, 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.

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 make representations to the Panel as set out in Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers 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.

8. Updates on Checks

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on persons aged 16 and over who are either living in the household or who are regular visitors to the household, 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 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.

9. 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