3.8.6 Annual Review of Foster Carers

AMENDMENTS

This chapter was amended in June 2011 in relation to the Fostering Agencies Regulations 2011, Associated Guidance (Volume 4) and National Minimum Standards, see Section 1, Legislative Framework and Section 2, Purpose of Reviews.

Legislative Framework
Purpose of Reviews
Priority of Reviews
Frequency
Completion of the Review Report
Venue and Timing
Chairing
Participation, Partnership and Consultation Forms
Recording the Outcome of the Review Meeting (Annual Review Form Part C)
Authorisation of Annual Reviews
Presentation of Annual Reviews at Panel
Representations and Independent Review Procedure
Non Panel Reviews

1. Legislative Framework

2. Purpose of Reviews

The purpose of Annual Reviews is:

To determine whether the carer’s current approval should be renewed or amended;
To check that statutory checks are up to date (medical and police checks should be updated every three years), these checks should be recorded and dated;
To monitor the carer’s performance since the last Annual Review against the agreed goals and targets;
To utilize and develop carer’s strengths, remedy weaknesses and develop new skills in order to optimise their fostering careers;
To look at the foster carer’s assessment of the quality of service and support provided by the Department;
To make decisions and set targets, including training, for the following year.

Children's Workforce Development Council standards for foster carers need to be met. Personal development plans must be completed for each carer and this should be linked to their training and their annual review.

Details of the carers' development and training should be made available to agencies if the carer moves into another local authority area

The reviewing process should not be treated as an academic exercise but should actively encourage an open and honest dialogue about the fostering experiences during the review period.

Annual Reviews should be seen as a process consisting of several elements:

Consultation with all those involved in the placements since the last Annual Review;
Information gathering and report writing;
A formal Annual Review meeting where the outcome of consultation, information gathering and report writing processes are discussed;
Making recommendations about continued approval.

3. Priority of Reviews

The Departments view is that Foster Carers’ Annual Reviews play a crucial role in providing quality placements for looked after children. They must be accorded high priority and be completed to a high standard. In particular review meetings must be planned well in advance and should only be cancelled, delayed or re-organised in exceptional circumstances.

4. Frequency

Reviews should take place at least annually. If the need arises the next review may be brought forward. Reasons may include, recommendations for substantial changes to the foster carer’s approval status, change of address or changes to the foster home composition e.g. a new partner. A review of agreed goals or complaints, serious concerns or allegations will also lead to a review being brought forwards. Family placement worker and the foster carer.

5. Completion of the Review Report

The supervising social worker is responsible for the completion of Part A and Part B of the review form FPU/62 before the review meeting. These parts are completed in conjunction with the foster carer. Once the report is complete it should be forwarded to the Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers: Completions) prior to the meeting.

The Family Placements Business Support Officer is then responsible for completing Part C following the Annual Review Meeting and distributing them for children in placement at the time of the Annual Review. If children leave a placement before the next Annual Review is due the Supervising Social Worker should send the forms to the relevant parties and store them on file for when the Annual Review takes place.

6. Venue and Timing

The Annual Review date is arranged and agreed with the foster carer by the Supervising Social Worker following discussion with the Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers: Chairing)

The review should be held at the foster carer’s home at a time of day that is suitable for the foster carer(s) and does not conflict with any other child-care responsibilities.

7. Chairing

The review meeting will normally be chaired by the Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers: Chairing)

8. Participation, Partnership and Consultation Forms

For the review process to be effective it is essential that everyone involved with a looked after child placed with a foster carer works in partnership together. It is imperative that:

Everyone involved with a child in placement is consulted prior to the review. This includes:

Foster carers;
Foster carer’s own children;
Foster children currently placed and who have previously been in placement with the foster carers since the last annual review;
Child’s parent(s);
Locality social workers;
Supervising social worker;
Social workers from another authority who have used the foster placement.

Foster carers should personally attend the meeting

Foster carers are given a written copy of the review report, including the recommendations of the meeting. Foster carers have the opportunity to comment in writing on the report prior to its presentation to a Panel or the Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers: Chairing)

The following forms should be used for consultation purposes

Foster Carer (Refer to A-Z of forms on Intranet);
Children of Foster Carer (Refer to A-Z of forms on Intranet);
Foster Child(ren) (Refer to A-Z of forms on Intranet);
Locality Social Worker (Refer to A-Z of forms on Intranet);
Parents (Refer to A-Z of forms on Intranet).

9. Recording the Outcome of the Review Meeting (Annual Review Form Part C)

Following the Annual Review the chair of the meeting will complete Part C of the Annual Review form. It should include recommendations on approval status, training needs and any further statutory checks.

Within 14 days of the review meeting the Chair will send two copies of the review form to the foster carer. The foster carer should read the review form and use the space ‘Foster Carers Comments’ to record their views about the meeting and any other views that they wish to express regarding their fostering experiences. The foster carer, if in agreement with the forms contents, should sign and date both copies. A copy should be kept by the foster carer. The other returned signed within 7 days to the Chair. The Chair will then pass them to the supervising social worker for their signature and a copy to be placed on file.

The Chair should then distribute the original Annual Reviews as in Sections 12 and 13.

10. Authorisation of Annual Reviews

Annual Reviews must be authorised by the relevant Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers: Authorisations).

Annual Reviews that do not need to go to Panel (See Section 13, Non Panel Reviews)

No change reviews;
Non-significant changes e.g. amendments to age range approval due to a carer’s own children increasing in age;
Non-significant reduction in approvals e.g. carer wishes to reduce no of children they are approved to care for;
The above Reviews must on completion be given to the Fostering Team Manager for verification and are signed off by the relevant Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers: Authorisations).

The following Reviews must be presented to a Panel

The first Review following approval;
Any Review following an allegation, complaint or serious concern investigation;
Significant changes in household that affect fostering approval e.g. change of address, changes to bedroom numbers and size, criminal convictions, additional member of household e.g. new partner;
Where there is a request for an additional placement;
Disputed review recommendations or conclusions;
Any review requested by the fostering provider.

11. Presentation of Annual Reviews at Panel

The completed report should be given to the Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers: Chairing) for distribution to the appropriate Panel Members and presentation of the report to the Panel that will make a recommendation for a decision by the Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers: Approvals). In cases of serious concern, allegations or complaints the Supervising Social Worker may also be expected to attend.

The following Annual Reviews should be presented to the:

Adoption and Permanent Placements Panel:

Foster carers who have long-term placements only should have the annual reviews that need to be presented to a Panel presented to the Adoption Panel;
Foster carers who have both long term and short term foster placements should following confirmation of the permanency arrangement at the Adoption Panel have their next Annual Review presented to the Adoption Panel. All subsequent Panel reviews should go to the Fostering Panel;

Fostering Panel:

All other reviews that need to go to a Panel (see Paragraph 13.3).

The Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers: Approvals) will notify the foster carer of the outcome of an Annual Review presented to a Panel in writing. Foster carers will also be informed of the appeals and complaints procedure should they wish to appeal against a decision. The carer has a right to submit a written response within 28 days.

Appeals: for appeals processes see the Fostering Panel Remit, Terms of Reference and Procedures document.

12. Representations and Independent Review Procedure

June 2009: The whole of this section is new.

Where, as a result of a review, the variation or termination of a foster carer's approval is proposed, he or she must be advised, when informed of the outcome of the decision of the Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers: Approvals) 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 the Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers Procedure. The only circumstances where the foster carer 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 Persons Disqualified from Fostering Procedure.

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

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

13. Non Panel Reviews

The process for authorising Non Panel reviews is:

Completed Annual Review is passed to the Team Manager (Fostering) by the Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers: Completions);
The Team Manager (Fostering) checks the review and clarifies any issues with the Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers: Completions)and/or Supervising Social Worker;
The Annual Review is passed to relevant Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers: Authorisations), who clarifies any issues he/she may have;
The Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers: Authorisations) then emails the FPU Business Support Officer the conclusion of the review (cc to team Manager) and the terms of approval etc.;
For the next Panel the FPU Business Support Officer prepares a letter confirming the terms of approval for signature by the Designated Manager (Review of Foster Carers: Authorisations);
The letter is sent to the carer by the FPU Business Support Officer. The Supervising SW receives a copy from the FPU Business Support Officer for information and to file.

End