Panels Considering a Match for a Child and a Permanent Family
When a child is being considered for a match with a family the foster carer will be invited to attend the Panel. The foster carer can help to give panel members an update on the child’s situation as it may be some time since the child was registered as requiring permanence.
Foster carers are likely to be asked to speak about how the child is at present, what they have said or appear to be feeling about the possible changes ahead and what the foster carer feels the child’s needs are in a future placement. The child’s social worker will have shared basic information with the foster carer about the prospective adoptive family or permanent carer.
The foster carer will not, however, read the assessment reports on the prospective adopters/ permanent carers and will generally not be present for the part of the panel that is considering the prospective adopters’ or permanent carers’ circumstances.
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