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Contents

1. Frequency and Timing
2. Consultation and Action Before the Review
3. The Annual Review
4. Presentation to the Fostering Panel
5. After the Review
6. Representations / Independent Review Procedure
7. Updates on Checks
8. Resignations
9. Retention of Foster Carer Records

1. Frequency and Timing

Formal reviews of foster carers will take place at least annually. Dates and the venue for review meetings will be agreed by the supervising social worker in consultation with the foster carer.

The first annual review meeting will be reported to the Fostering Panel within 12 months of the original approval.

Reviews will take place more frequently and may be initiated by the supervising social worker or foster carers in the event of a significant change in circumstances of a foster carer affecting the ability or capacity to foster, for example a change in the composition of the household - see Section 13, Changes in the Foster Carer's Household or Circumstances of the Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers Procedure, a significant health issue, concerns about the standards of care provided by the foster carer, a complaint or allegation made about the carer resulting in a Section 47 Enquiry or investigation, concerns as a result of information from updated Criminal Records Bureau checks or a recommendation for a change of approval.

As well as formal reviews, there will be regular supervision, dialogue and feedback between the supervising social worker and the foster carers - see Supervision of Foster Carers Procedure.

2. Consultation and Action Before the Review

Prior to the formal 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.

The views of the foster carers, 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 may include contacting a social worker from outside the authority if appropriate. Wherever possible these views should be reported to the review in writing.

The foster carer and members of the family (including the foster carers' own children depending on their age and understanding) will be asked to complete their own review form for this purpose.

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

3. The Annual Review

The Purpose of the Annual Review

Local Authorities are required by Regulation 28 (The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011) to review the approval of foster carers at least once a year. In most cases an annual review is about right, but it may be more frequent if there are any major changes in the carers’ circumstances.

The Foster Carer Annual Review should focus on the carer/s. It should be a two-way process, offering an opportunity for the airing and discussion of both the foster carer's views and of the Local Authority’s view and of any difficulties arising from either point of view. If there are two carers in a household it is important that both attend the review. Ideally it is best for these reviews to take place when there are no foster children around. Birth children, as well as Looked After children will be asked to contribute to the review, by means of a consultation form.

Topics covered in the review process are:

• Health
• Home and carer safety
• Training and Development matters
• Discussion about your past and future fostering role.
• The views of birth children and how fostering affects them
• The views of social workers with children in the placement

The local authority will also check, as a statutory responsibility, that the carers Criminal Records Bureau check has been updated within the past three years. Additionally, any young people in the household will also be asked to give their consent to a CRB check once they are 18 years of age.   Medical information is also updated by the local authority every 2 years.

The review is an opportunity to take "time out" and consider the carers needs. The review will reflect both the issues the carers raise with their Supervising Social Worker and with the "end of placement" reports. It should identify how training, support and supervision can be improved in the year ahead. The carers will receive a form in advance of the review to complete.

The regulations also provide for the foster carer to be notified in writing of the outcome of the review including any changes in the terms of approval. The carers should be advised to keep their copy of the review form and to refer to it as necessary throughout the year.

If there are any significant changes to the carers circumstances, or concerns raised at the Annual Review, these will be referred to the Fostering Panel.

Below is a list of the professionals involved in the annual reviewing process, together with their responsibilities in relation to the review:

The Supervising Social Worker will:

• Complete Part A of the carer’s annual review form at least 28 days before the date of the review and e-mail a copy to the Reviewing Officer.
• Notify the Reviewing Officer on completion of Part A: having direct discussion should there be any sensitive issues. 
• Notify the Reviewing Officer within 5 working days should an annul review be over due.
• Notify the Reviewing Officer of the date when the annual review will be presented at Panel.
• Notify administration when the Part B have been received.
• Book a date for the annual review to be discussed at Panel
• Present the review to Panel (with the carers present)

The Reviewing Officer will:

• Be involved in the completion of the Annual Review  for:
  1. Newly approved carers
  2. Carers who have been the subject of an allegation.
  3. Carers where there are concerns regarding their practice.
     
     In this instance the chair will join the review meeting where the carers and SSW are present and produce a summary of the carers practice during the course of the year as well as any learning that may have taken place. The Reviewing Officer will also make clear recommendations about how practice can be improved and where necessary outline any safeguarding issues and make recommendations as to whether or not these issues should alter the carers approval as Bexley carers. This report together with the review completed by the SSW will then be presented to panel.
     
     Additionally, in terms of ensuring quality assurance the Reviewing Officer will also:
• Undertake an annual random audit of the carers annual reviews a
• Alert the Panel Advisor should the annual review raise issues which require sensitive or careful consideration. 
• Alert the allocated Social Worker and IRO should the annual review raise issues which require sensitive or careful consideration
• Ordinarily the Reviewing Officer does not attend Panel however in rare cases where it is felt that this will assist the decision making process he or she may attend.

The Administration Officer will:

• Place an activity on ICS 3 months before the foster carer’s annual review for the Supervising Social Worker. What does the SSW have to do?
• Book at date for the annual review to be presented before Bexley’s Fostering Panel
• Notify the Supervising Social Worker of the Panel date
• Send out the completed annual review paperwork. Carers should be given a copy of their completed Annual Review to read and to sign at least 3 weeks before the review can go to Panel. If the carers have any disagreements with information in the report their comments can be included in the report. This can be done on an additional sheet attached to the report if necessary.

In the event of a complaint:

The process for carers to make complaint is the same process as service users and could also be through their supervising social worker. Complaints can be made electronically, in writing, via telephone discussion or  through the formal complaints procedure. Any complaint will be followed up by CPS, this could be via a social worker or manager if appropriate. It is expected that carers are kept informed of what is happening through the process of their complaint .As part of the supervision process carers will be reminded of the complaints procedure. Following a Foster Carer’s approval at panel, Foster Carers receive The Good Practice Guide which provides information about making a complaint.

In the event that the carers wish to complain about the manner in which the Reviewing Officer undertakes the review or indeed any of the recommendations that they make these can direct their complaint to either the Practice or Unit Manager/s in the Safeguarding Children’s Service.

 The Children Placement Management Service will:

• Quality control Parts A and B of the paperwork.
• Ensure that annual reviews are completed within timescale.
• Investigate complaints made
• Take responsibility for ensuring reviews are timely circulated
• Reviews are timely presented at Panel
• Address practice issues in staff supervision
• Ensure that carers receive an appropriate level of support.

This policy ( in section 3) will be reviewed 6 months from the implementation of the policy.

4. Presentation to the Fostering Panel

The review report will be presented to the Fostering Panel on the foster carer's first annual review and after any review where a change to the approval or termination of approval is recommended or where there has been a significant change in circumstances of the foster carer or any event/incident has occurred affecting the continued suitability of the foster carers (for example an allegation or complaint resulting in a Section 47 Enquiry or investigation) or where there is an unresolved disagreement regarding a review recommendation.

Otherwise, the Children's Placement manager will consider the record of the review, ratify the outcome and arrange for the review record to be presented to the Panel for information.

Where the report is to be presented to the full Fostering Panel, the report should set out any proposed changes to the approval, together with reasons.

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. They should also be offered independent support, e.g. from the Mediation and Conciliation Service provided by Fostering Network.

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 (Fostering) for a decision to be made.

Whether or not the foster carers are present at the Panel, the Panel Advisor will arrange for them to be informed in writing of the outcome of the review as soon as possible and at the latest within 7 working days after a decision is made and give notice:

1. that the foster carer and household continue to be suitable and that the terms of the approval continue to be appropriate; or
2. that the approval is terminated from a specified date, and the reason for the termination; or
3. the revised terms of the approval and the reasons for the revision
   
   See Section 6, Representations / Independent Review Procedure where the foster carer wishes to challenge the decision.

5. After the Review

The supervising social worker will write to any social worker from outside the authority with a child placed with the foster carers to inform them of the outcome of the review.

Where the foster carer lives in the area of a different local authority, the local authority for the area where he/she resides will also be informed in writing 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 OFSTED.

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 Independent Safeguarding Authority.

6. Representations / Independent Review Procedure

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 Section 9, Representations / Independent Review Procedure of 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.

7. Updates on Checks

Criminal Records Bureau checks on persons aged 16 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.

See Persons Disqualified from Fostering Procedure

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.

8. Resignations

Where the foster carer has decided to give up fostering, a brief report and a copy of the foster carer's resignation letter will be presented to the next available Panel for information and acknowledgement.

The resignation should be recorded formally by the Panel as the termination of the foster carer's approval to take effect 28 days from the date when written notice has been received from the foster carer.

An 'exit interview' will be conducted with the foster carer wherever possible to determine the reasons for their resignation.

A letter of appreciation and thanks will be sent to the foster carer (unless there are circumstances in which this would be unwelcome or inappropriate).

When there is a child in placement, the foster carer must inform the fostering service of their intention to cease fostering in sufficient time to enable an alternative placement to be identified and introductions to take place. If the child is placed by a different local authority, a copy of any notice given must be sent to that local authority.

9. Retention of Foster Carer Records

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

End