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282 <h2>
282 Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers
282 </h2>
284 </div>
287 <div id="scope_box">
288 <h3>
288 AMENDMENT
288 </h3>
289 <p>
289 In April 2020, a link was added to Attending an IRM Panel: information sheets. See
289 <a href="#represent">
289 Section 6, Representations/Review Procedure
289 </a>
289 .
289 </p>
290 </div>
291 <div id="sections">
293 <h3 id="sections_list">
293 Contents
293 </h3>
294 <ol>
295 <li>
295 <a href="#frequency">
295 Frequency
295 </a>
295 </li>
296 <li>
296 <a href="#consultation">
296 Consultation with Foster Carer before the Review
296 </a>
296 </li>
297 <li>
297 <a href="#formal">
297 Formal Review Meeting
297 </a>
297 </li>
298 <li>
298 <a href="#presentation">
298 Presentation to the Fostering Panel or Agency Decision Maker
298 </a>
298 </li>
299 <li>
299 <a href="#after_fostering">
299 After the Fostering Panel
299 </a>
299 </li>
300 <li>
300 <a href="#represent">
300 Representations/Review Procedure
300 </a>
300 </li>
301 <li>
301 <a href="#updates">
301 Updates on Checks
301 </a>
301 </li>
302 <li>
302 <a href="#resig">
302 Resignation by Foster Carers
302 </a>
302 </li>
303 <li class="remove_bullet">
303 <a href="files/annual_review_fc.doc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
303 Appendix 1: Bexley Annual Review of Foster Carer's Approval Report Form
303 </a>
303 </li>
304 </ol>
305 <h3 id="frequency">
305 1. Frequency
305 </h3>
306 <p>
306 Formal reviews of foster carers will take place at least annually.
306 </p>
307 <p>
307 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.
307 </p>
308 <p>
308 As well as formal reviews, there will be regular dialogue and feedback between the fostering
worker and the foster carer.
308 </p>
309 <h3 id="consultation">
309 2. Consultation with Foster Carer before the Review
309 </h3>
310 <p>
310 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.
310 </p>
311 <p>
311 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.
311 </p>
312 <p>
312 The fostering social worker will also seek and take into account the views of any child placed
with the foster carer since the last review via the child's social worker.
312 </p>
313 <h3 id="formal">
313 3. Formal Review Meeting
313 </h3>
314 <p>
314 The review will be informed by a meeting held between the fostering worker and the foster carer at
the foster home. 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.
314 </p>
315 <p>
315 A Review Form will be completed and any recommendations discussed with the foster carer and
recorded. The foster carer should have the opportunity to put their views on the recommendations
in writing to be presented to the Fostering Panel or the
315 <a href="files/sod_decision_making.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
315 Agency Decision Maker (Fostering)
315 </a>
315 when the Review Form is considered.
315 </p>
316 <h3 id="presentation">
316 4. Presentation to the Fostering Panel or Agency Decision Maker
316 </h3>
317 <p>
317 A report must be presented to the Fostering Panel on the foster carer's first review for a
recommendation and thereafter may be presented to the fostering panel. This may include where
significant changes to the foster carer's approval or the termination of the foster carer's
approval are recommended or where any circumstances exist which in the opinion of the Agency
Decision Maker require consideration by the Fostering Panel. This may 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.
317 </p>
318 <p>
318 Whether presented to the fostering panel or not, the report will be presented to the Agency
Decision Maker for a decision as to whether the foster carer remains suitable to foster and
whether the terms of approval remain suitable. Where it has been presented to the fostering panel,
the Agency Decision Maker will take into account the panel's recommendation.
318 </p>
319 <p>
319 The fostering worker will present the review findings and recommendations to the Fostering Panel
or Agency Decision Maker 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.
319 </p>
320 <p>
320 Where the Review recommends the termination of approval of the foster carer, see
320 <a href="#term">
320 Section 6.1 Proposal to Terminate Foster Carer's Approval
320 </a>
320 .
320 </p>
321 <p>
321 Where the Fostering Panel's recommendation is for a different category of approval, see
321 <a href="#revise">
321 Section 6.2, Proposal to Revise the Terms of the Foster Carer's Approval
321 </a>
321 .
321 </p>
322 <p>
322 Where the foster carer has decided to give up fostering, see
322 <a href="#resig">
322 Section 8, Resignation by Foster Carers
322 </a>
322 .
322 </p>
323 <h3 id="after_fostering">
323 5. After the Fostering Panel
323 </h3>
324 <p>
324 The foster carer will be informed in writing by the fostering worker of the outcome of the review.
324 </p>
325 <p>
325 A copy of the Review Form and a record of the outcome of the review will be retained on the foster
carer's case record.
325 </p>
326 <h3 id="represent">
326 6. Representations/Review Procedure
326 </h3>
327 <h4 id="term">
327 6.1 Proposal to Terminate Foster Carer's Approval
327 </h4>
328 <p>
328 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
328 <a href="p_ass_app_fost.html#representations_review">
328 Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers Procedure, Representations / Independent Review
Procedure
328 </a>
328 . Notification / representations / will need to be received by the Panel Administrator within 28
days of the date of the notice of the decision being sent to them. The Panel Administrator will
then notify the foster carer within 7 working days of the date when the Panel will reconsider the
matter (see also:
328 <a
href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/f
ile/792875/IRM_Foster_Carers_Information_Sheet_January_2019_SC.pdf" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
328 Information about the IRM for Foster Carers
328 </a>
328 ).
328 </p>
329 <p>
329 The foster carer will not have the right to request a review by an Independent Review Panel if
they are regarded as disqualified as a result of a conviction or caution for a specified offence -
see
329 <a href="p_pers_disq.html">
329 Persons Disqualified from Fostering Procedure
329 </a>
329 .
329 </p>
330 <p>
330 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.
330 </p>
331 <p>
331 If written representations are received within the period, the matter must be referred to the
Fostering Panel for further consideration. Foster carers wishing to make representations in person
to the Panel may be accompanied by a friend or supporter. Where a foster carer wishes to make
representations in person, the Panel Chair may consider the Panel meeting as a smaller quorate
sub-group.
331 </p>
332 <p>
332 The Panel will make a new recommendation in relation to the foster carer and a final decision will
be made by the Agency Decision Maker taking into account any fresh recommendation made by the
Panel.
332 </p>
333 <p>
333 Written notice of the final decision, together with reasons, must then be sent to the foster carer
within 7 working days of the decision.
333 </p>
334 <p>
334 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.
334 </p>
335 <p>
335 Where the approval is terminated, the Agency Decision Maker, in consultation with the Local
Authority Designated Officer (LADO) will decide whether to refer the former foster carer to the
Disclosure and Barring Service for inclusion of the carer's name on the Children's Barred List.
335 </p>
336 <h4 id="revise">
336 6.2 Proposal to Revise the Terms of the Foster Carer's Approval
336 </h4>
337 <h5>
337 6.2.1 Where the Foster Carer is in Agreement
337 </h5>
338 <p>
338 Where, as a result of a review, the 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.
338 </p>
339 <p>
339 Where the foster carer's written agreement is received, the decision to revise the terms of
approval may be made immediately.
339 </p>
340 <p>
340 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.
340 </p>
341 <p>
341 Foster carers must not be pressured to accept changes to their terms of approval.
341 </p>
342 <h5>
342 6.2.2 Where the Foster Carer is not in Agreement
342 </h5>
343 <p>
343 Where the foster carer does not agree in writing to the revision of their terms of approval, then
the representations/review procedure as set out in
343 <a href="#term">
343 Section 6.1 Proposal to Terminate Foster Carer's Approval
343 </a>
343 will apply.
343 </p>
344 <h3 id="updates">
344 7. Updates on Checks
344 </h3>
345 <p>
345 Disclosure and Barring Service checks should be updated every 3 years and if necessary, a review
of the foster carer's approval should be carried out immediately to take account of any new
information.
345 </p>
346 <p>
346 See
346 <a href="p_pers_disq.html">
346 Persons Disqualified from Fostering Procedure
346 </a>
346 </p>
347 <p>
347 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.
347 </p>
348 <h3 id="resig">
348 8. Resignation by Foster Carers
348 </h3>
349 <p>
349 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
349 <a href="p_ass_app_fost.html">
349 Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers Procedure
349 </a>
349 . 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.
349 </p>
350 <h3>
350 Appendix 1: Bexley Annual Review of Foster Carer's Approval Report Form
350 </h3>
351 <p>
351 <a href="files/annual_review_fc.doc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
351 Click here to view Appendix 1: Bexley Annual Review of Foster Carer's Approval Report Form
351 </a>
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