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 again be invited to attend the panel. The 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.
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 carer feels the child's needs are in a future placement.
The child's social worker will have shared basic information about the prospective families but the foster carer will not read the reports prepared on the prospective permanent family and will generally not remain for the part of the panel that is considering the prospective permanent carers.
What happens next is the subject of the next section: Looking After a Child or Young Person.