Panels Reviewing Carers' Approval
The Social Work and Health Department arranges foster carer reviews once a year or more often if there are significant changes in the carer's circumstances. The outcome of these reviews is then considered by the fostering panel unless there are changes to the approval which will generally only be considered every second year.
Any changes to the carer's approval must be considered by the panel and agreed by the agency decision-maker. Again, foster carers are always invited to attend panel's reviewing their approval.
The placement and post placement reports written by the carer will be available to panel members, along with placement reports by the social worker and, where appropriate, the child. Panel members will also have a minute from the departmental review.
The panel finds it useful to hear directly from the carer about their experiences, the rewards and difficulties of the task since their last review and the training and support they have had or would like to have in future.