Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers

1. Frequency

Formal reviews for Merton foster carers will take place at least annually.

Reviews will take place more frequently in the event of a significant change in circumstances of a foster carer for example where there are concerns about the care provided by the foster carer as a result of a complaint or allegation.

2. Consultation with Foster Carer before the Review

Prior to the formal review, the fostering social worker will send to the foster carer a copy of the review report to enable them to prepare for the review in advance. The foster carer will have the opportunity to communicate his or her views verbally or in writing to the fostering worker.

The fostering social worker will also, as part of the formal review, seek the views of all members of the foster carer's household as well as the written comments and opinions as to the foster carer from all social workers who have used the foster carer for a placement since the last formal review as recorded on the social worker's end of placement report. This will include contacting a social worker from outside the authority where appropriate.

3. Formal Review Meeting

The review will be informed by a meeting held between the fostering social worker and the foster carer at the foster placement. At the review meeting, the agenda as set out in the Foster Carer Review Form will include an appraisal of the foster carer's training and development needs, an evaluation of the training received since the last review, the foster carer's views of the service and support provided as well as the appropriateness of placements made and the care provided by the foster carer.

4. Presentation to the Adoption, Fostering and Permanence Panel

A report must be presented to the Adoption, Fostering and Permanence Panel on the foster carer's first review, for recommendation and thereafter every three years the Annual Review of Approval is also presented to Adoption, Fostering and Permanence Panel. In between these times termination of approvals, allegations and changes to approval due to circumstances are also presented. (See also Section 6.2, Proposal to revise the terms of the foster carer's approval).

Following Assistant Director for Children's Social Care and Youth Inclusion decision making manager for ratification of the Adoption, Fostering and Permanence Panel recommendation.

The fostering social worker will present the review findings and recommendations to the Adoption, Fostering and Permanence Panel and they will share this with the manager in a written report which incorporates the views of the child or children placed. The written views of the foster carer and any report provided by a social worker particularly where concerns have been expressed about a placement with the foster carer. Any recommendations for change in the foster carer's approval should be highlighted in the report.

Where the Review recommends the termination of approval of the foster carer, the review should be presented to the earliest possible Adoption, Fostering and Permanence Panel. (see Section 6.1, Proposal to Terminate Foster Carer's Approval)

Where the Adoption, Fostering and Permanence Panel's recommendation is for a different category of approval, see Section 6.2, Proposal to Revise the Terms of the Foster Carer's Approval.

Where the foster carer has decided to give up fostering, see Section 8, Resignation by Foster Carers.

5. After the Joint Adoption and Fostering Panel

Where the review is presented to the Adoption, Fostering and Permanence Panel, the recommendation as to the future approval of the foster carer will be submitted to the Assistant Director for Children's Social Care and Youth Inclusion and Head of Service for LAC, Permanency and Placements makes a final decision within this process

The foster carer will be informed in writing by the fostering social worker of the outcome of the review.

6. Representations/Review Procedure

6.1 Proposal to terminate foster carer's approval

Where, as a result of a review, the termination of a foster carer's approval is proposed, written notice of the proposal and the reasons must be sent to the foster carer within 7 days of the decision and he or she must be advised that if they wish to challenge the decision, they have the opportunity to make representations to the Agency Decision Maker or to request a review by an Independent Review Panel under the Independent Review Mechanism as set out in the Section 10, Representations / Independent Review Mechanism of the Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers Procedure. Notification/representations/ will need to be received by the Agency Decision Maker within 28 days of the date of the notice of the decision being sent to them. The matter will be referred to the Adoption, Fostering and Permanence Panel and the Administrator will then notify the foster carer within 7 working days of the date when the Adoption, Fostering and Permanence Panel will reconsider the matter (see also Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers (GOV.UK)).

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

If written representations are received within the period, the matter must be referred to the Adoption, Fostering and Permanence Panel for further consideration. Foster carers wishing to make representations in person to the Adoption, Fostering and Permanence Panel may be accompanied by a friend or supporter. Where a foster carer wishes to make representations in person, the Adoption, Fostering and Permanence Panel Chair may consider the Panel meeting as a smaller quorate sub-group.

The Adoption, Fostering and Permanence Panel will make a new recommendation in relation to the foster carer and a final decision will be made by the decision making manager taking into account any fresh recommendation made by the Adoption, Fostering and Permanence Panel.

Written notice of the final decision, together with reasons, must then be sent to the foster carer within 7 working days of the decision.

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.

6.2 Proposal to revise the terms of the foster carer's approval

6.2.1 Where the Foster Carer is in Agreement

Where as a result of a review, it is proposed to revise the terms of the foster carer's approval, a statement must be sent to the foster carer setting out whether it is considered that the foster carer or members of their household (including any children placed there) may have additional support needs as a result of the proposed revision and, if so, how those needs will be met, and request the foster carer's agreement in writing to the proposed revision of terms.

Where the foster carer's written agreement is received, the decision to revise the terms of approval may be made immediately.

The Agency Decision Maker's decision in such circumstances is not a Qualifying Determination and the foster carer may not apply for an independent review of the decision by way of the Independent Review Mechanism.

Foster carers must not be pressured to accept changes to their terms of approval.

6.2.2 Where the Foster Carer is not in Agreement

7. Updates on Checks

Disclosure and Barring Service checks should be updated every 3 years (unless the Disclosure and Barring Service Update Service is used) and if necessary, a review of the foster carer's approval should be carried out immediately to take account of any new information.

See Persons Disqualified from Fostering Procedure

Medical information should also be updated at least every 3 years by writing to the foster carers GP. In the event of any serious concerns about the foster carers health, a review of the foster carers approval should be carried out immediately.

8. Resignation by Foster Carers

A foster carer may give written notice at any time of their wish to resign from the role. Once written notice has been given, their approval will automatically be terminated 28 days after receipt of the notice. The foster carer cannot withdraw their notice once it has been received, nor can the Agency Decision Maker decline to accept the resignation. Should a foster carer who has resigned subsequently wish to foster again, they will need to be assessed under the procedure for Assessments and Approvals of Foster Carers. There is no requirement for the fostering panel to be notified of resignations. However the panel may find it helpful to be advised, as part of its monitoring role.