Principals of the New Scheme Approval levels
Carers are approved at one of three levels. The approval level will be agreed by the Agency Decision maker following a recommendation from the fostering panel. In general, new carers will commence at level 1. Prior to approval at level 1, applicants must complete the preparation training course and be assessed as meeting the competencies expected of a level 1 carer. The induction programme, and further core training, will be completed after approval.
Foster carers wishing to progress to a higher level will firstly need to have completed the core-training modules, and met the relevant competencies, for their current approval level. In addition they must be assessed as meeting the competencies for the level they are moving to and have evidenced the capacity to undertake the training required at the higher level. This process will be monitored and supported by the carer’s Link Worker and discussed and agreed by the Fostering Team Manager prior to the carer’s review.
The carers’ approval level will be considered at each review. The review will look at evidence that demonstrates their ability to meet and sustain the standards required for their approval level. Where carers cannot evidence that they have achieved and maintained the relevant standards, it is likely that the Angus Fostering Panel and Agency Decision Maker will amend their approval accordingly. If Level 1 standards are not sustained, this may lead to the de-registration of the foster carer.