Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers

Formal reviews of Foster Carers will take place at least annually and the first annual review will take place so that it can be reported to the fostering panel within 12 months of the Foster Carer's approval - see Section 5, Presentation to the Fostering Panel. 

The calculation of the Review date begins from the last Review meeting, not from the date of the ADM following the Review. A Foster Carer review is deemed complete when the review meeting occurs, not on the date of the ADM following the review.

There may be occasions during the Foster Carer's approval process where a delay in the review is requested, perhaps due to the Foster Carer's illness or the presence of an allegation against them. However, regulations do not permit such delays.

Therefore, it is essential to conduct the review as promptly and sensitively as possible and then assess the need for a further review once the issue causing the delay has been resolved. If this review is the initial one, it will involve presenting the review to the panel.

Dates and the venue for review meetings will be agreed by the Supervising Social Worker in consultation with the Foster Carer and the Foster Carer Independent Reviewing Officer FCIRO.

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

• A significant change in circumstances of a Foster Carer affecting the ability or capacity to foster, a change in the composition of the household. This may include a new partner joining the household or long term effects of a significant illness, bereavement or changes the availability of the Foster Carer(s). Please refer to the new partner risk assessment to inform decision-making around convening an early review.
• A serious complaint or allegation made about the Foster Carer. Adequate time must be allocated for completing investigations, preparing reports, and gathering feedback to prevent any delays or prolonged periods of inactivity. The registered manager has the discretion to decide whether an early review is necessary in cases where allegations are found to be unsubstantiated and there are no significant concerns about practice.
• A death in the foster home;
• Concerns about the standards of care provided by the Foster Carer. The registered manager may also consider convening a review if unresolved issues or concerns persist despite efforts made during supervision, standards of care, or other meetings.
• Persistent use of inappropriate discipline;
• Serious and/or persistent breaches of the Foster Care Agreement, including not completing children’s records or meeting minimum training requirements;
• A complaint or allegation made about the carer 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;

When considering a potential house move, it is essential to discuss the move with the supervising social worker and placing authorities. If the proposed move is deemed detrimental to the child or if there are doubts about the suitability of the new accommodation, it may warrant convening a review. At the request of the Foster Carer. Where an allegation or concern is raised in relation to a Foster Carer, see also  Managing Allegations Against Staff and Foster Carers Procedure.

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

The line manager of the supervising social worker holds the responsibility of ensuring the quality of the supervising social worker's report. Moreover, throughout the review period, line managers are expected to maintain oversight of Foster Carer compliance and the quality of care through various means, including supervising the supervising social worker, conducting file audits, participating in case discussions, and through monthly management reporting.

When the Foster Carer review is imminent, line managers should possess a clear understanding of the necessary content to conduct a comprehensive and balanced analysis of the review period.

It is essential that the Foster Carer review proceeds with the knowledge that the registered manager or line manager has reviewed and approved the appropriateness and timeliness of the safer caring plans and risk assessments, and that any practice-related issues are duly addressed in the supervising social worker's report for the review. Once the supervising social worker's report is received, the line manager should conduct a quality assurance check.

In this process, the line manager should verify the following:

• The report's presentation meets the required high standards, including accuracy, grammar, language use, and signatures;
• Designated time frames have been adhered to;
• The report offers an accurate and balanced reflection of the Foster Carer's review period;
• The perspectives of both the Foster Carer and the child are accurately reflected in the reports;
• Any additional reports have been completed and integrated into the review process;
• All necessary comments and contributions have been solicited and considered, with appropriate commentary and analysis provided in cases of feedback gaps;
• A well-supported summary of recommendations and a support plan concerning approval and any proposed changes to terms of approval are included;
• Any additional evidence required, as outlined in the supervising social worker's pre-review audit, is presented, and necessary actions have been taken to update records and checks prior to the review.

In situations where the Foster Carer expresses disagreement with certain aspects of the report, the line manager will assess whether the report content is fair, balanced, and evidence-based, and decide whether any amendments are warranted. Foster carers' comments, including areas of disagreement, can be incorporated into the Foster Carer review report, in addition to being included at the end of the supervising social worker's report.

Furthermore, the line manager may be called upon to chair review meetings and should be prepared for this responsibility. In complex situations, the line manager will consult with the registered manager as needed.

Prior to the review meeting, the Supervising Social Worker will collate all information relevant to the Foster Carers' 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 Carers or members of their household.

Written reports should be requested from

• Foster Carer(s);
• children placed during the review period;
• other household members, such as birth children, parents residing in the household, and individuals on staying put arrangements;
• Local Authority social workers responsible for any child placed at the time of the review;
• end of placement reports, with a request for missing reports if necessary;
• comments from parents of placed children, relayed through the local authority social worker or the supervising social worker;
• feedback from nursery/school/college.

Additionally, feedback from other agencies, staff, and Foster Carers where appropriate and available should also be included in the supervising social worker's report.

Childrens contributions

The feedback or indirect input from children placed during the review period is crucial for effectively assessing the ongoing suitability of every Foster Carer. The consultation report for the children's Foster Carer review serves as one avenue for gathering children's perspectives, although these tools are adaptable to meet the needs of each child.

Consideration must be given to who assists the child in providing feedback. In most cases, the Foster Carer should not be involved, as their presence could hinder a child's ability to raise concerns or request changes to their care. Situations may arise where offering an independent advocate is appropriate, such as when the fostering arrangement is fragile, the child has additional needs, or they lack trusting relationships with their Foster Carers and relevant staff. If the local authority has appointed an independent visitor due to the child's lack of contact with their birth family, feedback from the independent visitor should also be sought.

The local authority social worker must be invited to provide feedback from the child, and the supervising social worker plays a key role in obtaining feedback as well. The children's review templates are designed to be flexible, allowing for independent completion by some children, while others may need assistance to express their views and feelings.

For children with disabilities or those for whom English is a second language, it is expected that the supervising social worker will collaborate with the child's social worker to determine the most suitable means of support, which may include the use of interpreters. This approach should be tailored to each individual case.

If children choose to opt out of providing feedback entirely, the supervising social worker should incorporate feedback from visits, comments from the local authority during professional conversations or meetings, and any input from end-of-placement reports.

Foster Family contributions

Foster carers are expected to submit a written report for the review and actively engage in discussions with their supervising social worker regarding the evidence gathering process. If needed, supervising social workers should assist Foster Carers in preparing their report and establish clear expectations regarding its quality, detail, and depth of content.

Feedback from Foster Carers children, or children under special guardianship orders should be sought to allow the supervising social worker to assess the impact of fostering on them.

Additionally, it is important to acknowledge the positive contributions these children make to the fostering households. If these children have encountered challenges due to their parents fostering, the supervising social worker should explore ways to support them in providing feedback and consider any implications for future matching and support requirements.

The supervising social worker should collaborate with the Foster Carer in preparing their review report, adhering to the principle of transparency to avoid any unexpected findings in the report content. Any identified shortcomings in standards should have been addressed in supervision sessions with the Foster Carer and should be revisited before the review meeting. This ensures an open and transparent review process, affording the Foster Carer the opportunity to contribute their perspectives on the supervising social worker's report and any other relevant observations. Typically, pre-review discussions with Foster Carers are anticipated to be constructive.

Supervising social workers may assist Foster Carers in reflecting on past situations and events to explore opportunities for enhancing their practice or identifying areas for learning and development. They will support Foster Carers in gathering necessary information and evidence for the review, such as encouraging them to document examples of care provision. Discussions should also encompass how feedback from other household members will be obtained, with an emphasis on engaging in conversations rather than solely relying on templates.

Contributions from other household members

Additional templates may be utilised to collect feedback from adult birth children, other adult household members, and parents in parent and child fostering situations. Supervising social workers should exercise their discretion in determining the most suitable method for acquiring feedback. Similar principles should be applied when assessing the input of other household members, evaluating the effects of fostering on them, and recognising their influence or involvement with the fostered children.

Contributions from external agencies and from parents/birth family

Regulation 28, (b) (England); Regulation 29, 3 (b) Wales and Standard 20.6 (England) highlight the importance of external feedback to Foster Carer reviews to achieve a consistent approach to the evaluation of ongoing suitability.

Regulation 28 (b) in England, Regulation 29, 3 (b) in Wales, and Standard 20.6 in England emphasises the significance of external feedback in Foster Carer reviews to ensure a uniform method of assessing ongoing suitability.

Obtaining feedback from local authorities and other partners is crucial as it offers an impartial perspective on the quality of care provided by Foster Carers. External feedback enhances the supervising social worker's report, aids the review meeting process and recommendations, and informs ADM decision-making.

Efforts should be directed towards securing feedback from local authority social workers (LASWs), nurseries, schools, colleges, and any other professionals or services that have had significant involvement with the child and Foster Carer during the review period. These inputs should be duly acknowledged and emphasized in the supervising social worker's review report. The method of gathering feedback, whether through mail, telephone calls, or other means, should be determined based on the supervising social worker's judgment.

For parent and child arrangements, feedback from parents can be obtained using the relevant template, which assesses their perception of the care provided to their baby and the support they received for parenting.

A template is available for Local Authority Social Workers to share with birth parents, or the Local Authority Social Workers report may solicit their views and comments. Supervising Social Workers should clarify this. Additionally, supervising social workers may gather indirect feedback through other sources, such as Looked After Children (LAC) reviews, for instance.

Indeed,  where attempts to obtain feedback are unsuccessful, the supervising social worker may rely on evidence from professional meetings and discussions to provide some insight from local authority social workers and birth parents. However, this should not be the standard practice.

However the Registered Manager should establish processes to escalate requests for end-of-placement reports and Foster Carer review feedback. The receipt of such reports should be monitored, and any recurring patterns should be brought to the attention of local authority commissioners and service managers.

The Supervising Social Worker Foster Carer Review Report

The supervising social worker's report should present a factual, balanced, and evidence-based account of the review year. While it is essential to address concerns and issues in the report, equal importance should be given to portraying the entire review period fairly, celebrating achievements and progress made, rather than focusing solely on incidents or concerns.

In all cases, the supervising social worker's report should incorporate and analyse all feedback received.

Based on this evidence, the supervising social worker will formulate recommendations regarding ongoing suitability, terms of approval, and any necessary actions. Sufficient time should be allocated before the review meeting for the line manager to conduct robust quality assurance and for any necessary additions or amendments to be made before the report is shared with the Foster Carer.The principle of transparency must extend throughout the Supervising Social Worker report. If there are proposed changes to terms of approval, the Supervising Social Worker’s report must justify the proposed modifications, outline any additional support needed, and specify how any support needs will be addressed.

Foster carers are required to sign the review report to indicate their agreement with these changes, with both members of a Foster Carer couple signing if applicable.

Any updates on checks will also be carried out - see Section 8, Updates on Checks.

The formal review is attended by the Supervising Social Worker and the Foster Carers and will be chaired by a nominated Foster Carer independent Reviewing Officer (FCIRO). Where it is considered appropriate by the fostering manager, the review will be chaired by a manager from within Skylark Fostering, for example where the review will consider allegations or complaints which have been made about the Foster Carer or a member of the household.

Efforts should be made to schedule Foster Carer reviews at times and venues that enable both Foster Carers to attend and to reschedule review meeting if one Foster Carer in a fostering couple indicates they cannot attend. Supervising social workers should be aware of any patterns regarding non-attendance and this should be factored into the review report and discussion patterns of non-attendance at meetings training or supervision's need to be considered in the context of the relevant standards and requirements of the Foster Carer agreement and exceptional circumstances where one first carer cannot attend the review meeting they must have signed the supervising social work report in addition to submitting their own comments

As well as considering the information collated in advance, the review will also consider the Foster Carer'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 Carer continues to be suitable to foster children;
• Whether the terms of approval continue to be suitable;
• What training and development needs the Foster Carer has;
• How these needs will be met and who will be responsible;
• What support needs the carer 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/chair will prepare a review report stating whether the carers continue to be suitable to foster and whether the terms of his or her 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 Carer's skills. Any recommendations for change in the Foster Carers' approval should be highlighted.

All issues emerging from the updating or completion of statutory checks and enquiries must be fully addressed within the formal review meeting and noted in the review meeting summary.

The review meeting summary document asks about any areas of disagreement between the Foster Carer and Skylark Fostering. If the Foster Carer disagrees with the content of any reports, and this is not resolved, brief details should be recorded and an action to address this documented in the review meeting summary report.

However Skylark Fostering should also form a view about whether the content is considered valid and any analysis around this. This should also be clearly stated within the review summary report. It is recommended that this should be drafted as fully as possible with the Foster Carer(s) present. This should reduce the risk of confusion or disagreement at a later date.

Issues and areas of disagreement that do not fall within the remit or purpose of the review meeting, for example agency social events or Foster Carer fees and allowances, should be carefully recorded in the review meeting summary, identifying a timescale and person responsible for taking forward the Foster Carer concerns.

All staff involved in the review process should be mindful that the review meeting summary will in most cases be a document that is shared with placing authorities and therefore the quality and accuracy of the report is important. This also applies where a local authority requests additional review documentation. The Registered Manager will decide what is shared and ensure the quality of this.

A copy of the review report will be sent to the Foster Carers who will have the opportunity to put their views on the recommendations in writing to be presented to the Fostering Panel or Skylark Fostering Decision Maker when the Review Form is considered. A copy should also be kept on the Foster Carer's file.

If the Foster Carer(s) agree to a proposed change in approval and have signed the review meeting summary to confirm their agreement, and if the Agency Decision Maker subsequently confirms this in writing, the change may be implemented immediately upon receipt of the written confirmation from the Agency Decision Maker.

A report on the first annual review meeting will be presented to the fostering panel within 12 months of the original approval.

Thereafter the review report may be presented to the fostering manager for approval unless significant changes to the Foster Carer's approval or the termination of the Foster Carer's approval is recommended or where any circumstances exist which in the opinion of the fostering manager require consideration by the fostering panel. This will include the situation where an updating Disclosure and Barring Service check reveals a new concern about the Foster Carer or a member of the household.

In these circumstances, the review report will be presented to the fostering panel.

Where the report recommends termination of the Foster Carer'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 Carers' 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 Carer(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 Carer(s) on the report) should be sent to the panel administrator at least 10 working days before the relevant panel meeting.

Foster carers 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 Carers, 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 Carer.

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

Whether or not the Foster Carers 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 The notice will set out:

• That the Foster Carer 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.

Timelines Associated with Agency Decision Making for Reviews Presented to Panel:

• The Agency Decision Maker must reach a decision within seven working days of receiving the panel or review recommendations and review meeting reports;
• The Agency Decision Maker's decision should be communicated verbally to the Foster Carer within two working days of the decision being made. If the Agency Decision Maker is unable to provide verbal notification, they must designate another staff member for this task and record the date of the verbal notification on their Agency Decision Maker report;
• The Agency Decision Maker's decision must be confirmed in writing to the Foster Carer within five working days of the decision, as outlined in NMS 14.9 and 14.10;
• The entire process, from the Agency Decision Maker's receipt of documentation to written confirmation being sent to the Foster Carer, should be completed within 12 working days.

For non-panel Foster Carer reviews, the Agency Decision Maker will ensure that decision-making and subsequent written notification to the Foster Carers regarding reapproval and any associated terms occur as soon as reasonably possible and within a similar timeline to above. This should still allow for any necessary time to thoroughly review the provided information, assess the quality of the review process, and consider any required actions.

The Supervising Social Worker will write to any social worker for a child placed with the Foster Carers to inform them of the outcome of the review.

The outcome of the review will also be recorded and the Register of Foster Carers updated as necessary. Where there has been any change in the terms of the approval, the Foster Care Agreement will be updated and signed by the Supervising Social Worker and Foster Carer.

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

Where the approval is terminated, the Designated Allegations Manager for Skylark Fostering, in consultation with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)/team of designated officers, will decide whether to refer the former Foster Carer 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 Carer'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 Carers Procedure, Representations/Independent Review Procedure. 

A Foster Carer review must always be convened before any decision is made to terminate or amend the terms of approval of a Foster Carer. This review might occur earlier than scheduled if there are significant concerns or if there have been substantial changes in the Foster Carer's circumstances.

In all cases of early foster care reviews, the Foster Carer must be given the opportunity to provide written or personal representations.

In cases where a Foster Carer has been involved in an allegation, the Registered Manager has the discretion to provide funding for independent support from Skylark Fostering. This support aims to assist Foster Carers in attending the Fostering Panel meeting.

Similarly, assistance is available to Foster Carers who wish to make representations to the independent review mechanism (IRM).

Therefore, whenever there is a proposal to modify or terminate a Foster Carer's approval without their consent, Skylark Fostering will cover the cost of access to support from an appropriate independent supporter (e.g., FISS). This support typically begins after the initial review recommendation and continues until the conclusion of the process.

In England, prior to determining that a Foster Carer or their household is no longer suitable, the agency decision maker must issue a qualifying determination. This same process applies when Skylark Fostering intends to modify the terms of foster care approval without the agreement of the Foster Carers.

If an application is submitted to the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM), the IRM panel will review the qualifying determination and provide feedback to the agency decision maker regarding their recommendation. If the IRM does not uphold the recommendation, the agency decision maker is requested to reconsider; however, it is important to note that the IRM lacks legal authority to overrule the Agency Decision Maker, who retains the final decision.

Typically, review reports are required by the IRM though the minutes of the panel that reviewed the case are not necessary. Additionally, the chair of the review meeting, along with the supervising social worker, may be asked to attend the IRM to represent Skylark Fostering. The IRM aims to complete each case within three months of receiving an application.

When the IRM reviews a qualifying determination to terminate the approval of an existing Foster Carer, they provide recommendations on whether the carer should remain approved. They may also suggest changes to the terms of approval. Furthermore, the IRM may highlight areas of learning for Skylark Fostering after reviewing a case. Therefore, it is crucial that information reports submitted to the IRM are thoroughly checked for accuracy and completeness, and the Registered Manager should sign off on the IRM pack before submission.

The only circumstances where the Foster Carer will not have the right to request a review by an Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) 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 Carers).

If no written representations received within the 28 day period, the decision to terminate or vary an approval can be confirmed.

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.

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 Carers' 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 Carers should also be asked to complete Declarations of Health and Suitability every 3 years. In the event of any serious concerns about the Foster Carer's health, a review of the Foster Carer's approval should be carried out immediately.

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