Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Parents

Formal reviews of foster parents will take place at least annually and the first annual review will be presented to the fostering panel within 12 months of the foster parent's approval.

Dates and the venue for review meetings will be agreed by the Supervising Social Worker in consultation with the foster parents.

Reviews can also take place more frequently - and may be initiated by the Supervising Social Worker or foster parent/s. This may be due to:

• A significant change in circumstances of a foster parent affecting the ability or capacity to foster, a change in the composition of the household;
• A serious complaint or allegation made about the foster parent;
• A death in the foster home;
• A significant health issue;
• Concerns about the standards of care provided by the foster parent;
• Persistent use of inappropriate discipline;
• Serious and/or persistent breaches of the Foster Care Agreement;
• A complaint or allegation made about the parent resulting in a Section 47 Enquiry;
• Concerns as a result of information from updated Disclosure and Barring Service checks or a request/recommendation for a change of approval;
• Where there is a variation in the terms of approval;
• Where there are uncertain or contentious issues which require the advice and independency of the panel;
• At the request of the foster parent.

Where an allegation or concern is raised in relation to a foster parent, see also Managing Allegations Against Staff and Foster Parents Procedure.

As well as formal reviews, there will be regular supervision, dialogue and feedback between the Supervising Social Worker and the foster parent- see Supervision and Support of Foster Parents Procedure.

Prior to the review meeting, the foster parent will complete their review report giving an update on the previous year and their Supervising Social Worker will collate all information relevant to the foster parents' suitability to foster, including the number and type of placements in the last year, information from the Looked After Reviews of children placed, any extensions or exemptions that have been agreed in the previous year, supervision records, post placement reports and records of any complaints or allegations made against the foster parents or members of their household.

The views of the foster parents, all members of the household, any children placed since the last review, their parents (where appropriate) and their social workers, and any other professional whose views are relevant will be sought and taken into account at the review. This will include contacting the social worker for children previously placed but no longer in the placement. Wherever possible these views should be reported to the review in writing.

Any updates on checks will also be carried out - see Section 7, Updates on Checks.

Where the review is presented to the Fostering Panel this is recorded as the Formal Review Meeting. The formal review is attended by the Supervising Social Worker and the foster parents. Where the review is not being presented to Panel, the review meeting will be chaired by our Independent Reviewing Officer and will be attended by the supervising social worker with the expectation that the foster parent(s) attend.

As well as considering the information collated in advance, the review will also consider the foster parent's Safe Caring practice, fire plan, training programme and any risk assessment in relation to the family pets as part of the review. A health and safety checklist will also be completed.

The review will consider all the available information and views and reach the following conclusions;

• Whether the foster parent continues to be suitable to foster children;
• Whether the terms of approval continue to be suitable;
• What training and development needs the foster parent has;
• How these needs will be met and who will be responsible;
• What support needs the parent has, and how these will be met;
• Any difficulties or concerns since the last review;
• The date for presentation to the fostering panel, if relevant.

The Supervising Social Worker will prepare a review report stating whether the foster parent(s) continue to be suitable to foster and whether the terms of their approval continue to be appropriate. This report should include a summary of the fostering work undertaken so far and how this relates to the development of the foster parent's skills. Any recommendations for change in the foster parents' approval should be highlighted.

A copy of the review report will then be sent to the foster parents who will have the opportunity to put their views on the recommendations in writing to be presented to the Fostering Panel or Independent Reviewing Officer when the Review Form is considered. A copy should also be kept on the foster parent's file.

The report on the first annual review will be presented to the fostering panel within 12 months of the foster parents approval. Thereafter foster parents’ reviews will be presented to the Fostering Panel every 3 years and following any serious concerns and significant changes.

All remaining review meetings will be chaired by our Independent Reviewing Officer.

Where the report recommends termination of the foster parent's approval, the report should give full details of the concerns, allegations or complaints and the outcome of any Section 47 Enquiry or investigation. Any mitigating circumstances should be outlined. A copy of the foster parents' Form F and any previous relevant panel minutes should also be attached to the report.

The report for the panel will be shared with the foster parent(s) and they should be invited to submit written comments.

A copy of the report to the panel (and attachments including any written comments of the foster parent(s) on the report) should be sent to the panel administrator at least 10 working days before the relevant panel meeting.

Foster parents should be invited to attend the Fostering Panel when their review is being considered, together with a supporter if they wish, and the Panel Administrator should be informed if they intend to do so.

Where the Review recommends the termination of approval of foster parents, the review should be presented to the earliest possible Fostering Panel.

Where the Panel's recommendation is for a different category of approval, the Panel may require further assessment or training for the foster parent.

Where the review is presented to the Fostering Panel, the Panel's recommendation as to the future approval of the foster parent will be submitted to the Agency Decision Maker for a decision to be made.

Whether or not the foster parents are present at the Panel, the Panel Adviser will arrange for them to be informed in writing of the outcome of the review as soon as possible and at the latest within 5 working days after a decision is made. The notice will set out:

• That the foster parent and household continue to be suitable and that the terms of the approval continue to be appropriate; or
• That the approval is terminated from a specified date, and the reason for the termination; or
• The revised terms of the approval and the reasons for the revision.

Family Fostering will notify any social worker for a child placed with the foster parents to inform them of the outcome of the review.

The outcome of the review will also be recorded and the Register of Foster parents updated as necessary. The Foster Care Agreement will be updated and signed by the Supervising Social Worker and foster parent following every approval.

Where the approval is terminated, the Fostering Service Manager must inform the Regulatory Authority.

Where the approval is terminated, the Designated Allegations Manager for the agency, in consultation with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)/team of designated officers, will decide whether to refer the former foster parent to the Disclosure and Barring Service under the Vetting and Barring Scheme.

Where, as a result of a review, the variation or termination of a foster parent's approval is proposed, he or she must be advised, when informed of the outcome of the Agency Decision Maker's decision, that if they wish to challenge the decision, they have the opportunity to make representations to the Panel or to request a review by an Independent Review Panel, as set out in Recruitment, Assessment and Approval of Foster Parents Procedure, Representations/Independent Review Procedure. The only circumstances where the foster parent will not have the right to request a review by an Independent Review Panel is if he or she is regarded as disqualified as a result of a conviction or caution for a specified offence (see also GOV.UK, Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster parents).

If no written representations or notification of a request for a review are received within the period, the decision to terminate or vary an approval can be confirmed.

Where the termination of the approval of a foster parent is being considered, plans for the termination of any current placement will also be required and made as appropriate.

Disclosure and Barring Service checks on persons aged 18 and over should be updated every 3 years and if necessary, a review of the foster parents' approval should be carried out immediately to take account of any new information.

Whilst there is no statutory time interval, as good practice the foster parents should also be asked to complete Declarations of Health and Suitability every 3 years. In the event of any serious concerns about the foster parent's health, a review of the foster parent's approval should be carried out immediately.

Foster parents' case records should be retained for a minimum of 10 years after their approval has been terminated.