Thinking of joining a fostering panel?

Information for prospective new fostering panel members in England

If you are thinking about joining, or are

about to join, a fostering panel, then you

may find this leaflet helpful. It provides an

introduction to the role and remit of a

fostering panel; it tells you about panel

membership and practice and it gives advice

on many of the things you need to consider

when you join. Comments and advice are

provided by new and experienced panel

members.

2

1 Whatarethesatisfactionsofbeingapanelmember?Mostpeoplefindmembershipofafosteringpanelveryworthwhile.Itisanopportunitytousetheirrelevantpersonalandprofessionalexperiencetothebenefitofothers,andtodeveloptheirownknowledgeandskills.Thechildrenwhoneedfostercareareamongstthemostvulnerableinsociety,andtheirliveshaveoftenbeencharacterisedbyabuse,riskanddisadvantage.Byensuringthattheneedsofchildrenarealwaystheparamountconsideration,therecommendationsgivenbyapanelcancontributesignificantlytotheirstability,recoveryandsecurity.

The satisfactions are about helping to maintain quality services for children and striving to act as their “voice” when making recommendations about foster carers. (INDEPENDENTPANELMEMBER)

2 Whyjoinapanel?Here’swhatsomepeoplehadtosay.

To make a difference to the lives of children and young people. (MEMBEROFFOSTERINGANDADOPTIONPANEL)

Joining a panel is a great way to keep up-to-date with practice changes and helps prevent you being “insular” in relation to the agency you work for by giving insight into how another organisation works, and so can feed back to improve practice in your own agency. (INDEPENDENTPANELMEMBER)

3 Whatdoesapaneldo?Fosteringpanelsareeithersetupbylocalauthorities,whichprovidefosteringservices,orindependentfosteringproviders,whichmaybefor-profitornot-for-profitorganisations.

Themaintasksforfosteringpanelsinvolvemakingrecommendationsabout:

Whether people applying to foster should be approved as foster carers, and the terms of their approval.Panelmembersareprovidedwitha

reportwhichsetsouttheassessmentoftheapplicant(s)witharecommendationastowhethertheyshouldbeapprovedasfostercarers.MostfosteringservicesusetheCoramBAAFFormFforthispurpose.Panelmemberswillconsiderwhethertheapplicant(s)shouldbeapprovedandwhethertheapprovalisinrespectofanamedchildorchildren,thenumberandagerangeofchildren,orplacementsofaparticularkind.Aswellasprovidingtemporaryandpermanent(long-term)fosterplacementsforawiderangeofchildrenandyoungpeople,somefosteringservicesoperateschemeswhichmayincludeshortbreakfostering,parentandchildfostering,andremandfostering.

Whether foster carers, following an annual review of approval, should continue to be approved as foster carers.Eachfostercarerisrequiredbyregulationtohavetheirapprovalreviewedonanannualbasis.Thepanelconsidersthefirstannualreviewandanyotherthatthefosteringservicedecidestobringtothepanel.Thepanelwillbepresentedwithreportsandcommentsfromarangeofsources,thatmightincludethesupervisingsocialworker(thefostercarer’sworker);thefostercarers;fosteredchildrenandyoungpeople;socialworkersforthechildrenwhohavebeeninplacement;otherhouseholdmembers,includingbirthchildrenofthefostercarers;otherprofessionals;andchildren’sparentsandbirthfamily.Therewillalsousuallybeareportfromapersonwhohaschairedthereview,witharecommendationastowhetherthefostercarershouldcontinuetobeapproved,andwhethertheapprovalstatusshouldremainthesameorbechanged.CoramBAAFFormFRisdesignedforfosteringservicesthatwishtoundertakein-depthhighqualityfostercarerreviews.

Thepanelmaybeaskedtoconsiderareviewofapprovalfollowinganallegation,complaintorseriousconcernaboutafostercarer.Insomecases,thepanelmayrecommendthatthecarer’sapprovalisterminated.

Localauthorityfosteringpanelswillalsomakerecommendationsabout:

Whether family members or friends should be approved as foster carers for specific children.Whereachildcannolongercontinuetolivewiththeirparent(s),thelocalauthorityhasadutyto

Panels–whattheyareandwhattheydo

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THINKINGOFJOININGAFOSTERINGPANEL?

considerplacingthechildwithafamilymemberor“connectedperson”beforeconsideringfostercarewithsomeoneunknowntothechild.Iftheplacementismadewithafamilymemberorfriendinanemergency,thisisknownasa“Regulation24”placement.Panelmembersareprovidedwithanassessmentreportandmakearecommendationastowhetherthefamilymemberorfriendshouldbeapprovedasafostercarer.Thisassessmentreportmustbepresentedtothepanelwithin16weeksoftheplacement(whichcanbeextendedto24weeks).Placementwithfamilyorfriendsisoftenreferredtoaskinshipcare,andCoramBAAFFormCisdesignedforreportingonfamilyorfriendsassessments.

Somelocalauthoritypanelsmayalsoconsiderpermanent(long-term)fosteringmatches.

Inthesecases,panelmembers’responsibilitieswillbeto:

considerandmakerecommendationsastowhetherachildshouldbeplacedinpermanentfostercare;

considerandmakerecommendationsaboutthematchesofchildrenwithparticularcarers.

CoramBAAFisintheprocessofdevelopingformsfor

matchinginpermanentfostercare.

4 Whomakesupapanel?Panelsarecomposedofpeoplewitharangeofexperiencesandbackgroundswhoarerecruitedbythefosteringservicetobeona“centrallist”.Tobequorate,apanelmusthaveatleastfivepeoplesitting,including:

theChairorVice-chair; asocialworker;and atleastthreeothermembers.

Othermembersmightinclude: electedmembersinalocalauthority; afostercarerfromanotherfosteringservice; someonewhowasformerlyfostered; someonewithexperienceoftheeducationorhealthof

lookedafterchildren.

TheChairofthepanelissomeonewhoisindependentofthefosteringserviceandwhohastheskillsandexpertisetochairafosteringpanel.Thesocialworkermusthaveatleastthreeyearsofrelevantpost-qualificationexperience.

Panelmembershipshouldreflectthediversityofthechildrenandfamiliesintheirlocalareaandideallybemadeupofmenandwomen.

5 Whatdoestheagencyadvisertothepaneldo?Althoughthereisnolegalrequirementforthefosteringpaneltohaveanagencyadviser,mostpanelswillhaveone.Thiswillbeaseniorsocialworkerwhoseroleistoofferadvicetothepanelandprovidealinkbetweenthepanelandfosteringservice.Theirsisanimportantrole,althoughtheydonotparticipateintherecommendationsmadebythepanel.Theyarelikelytoprovideupdatedinformationonthefosteringservice,itsfostercarersandplacementofchildrenandyoungpeople,aswellasothermatterstodowiththeagencythatmayaffectthepanel.Muchoftheagencyadviser’sroletakesplaceoutsidethepanel.Itincludesensuringthatthenecessarydocumentationiscompletedandsubmittedattheappropriatetimeandthatthepanelwillbequorate.Afterthepanel,theyalsomakesurethatactionsidentifiedduringthemeetingarecarriedout.Theagencyadviserismostlikelytobethefirstpointofcallforpanelmembers.Sheorhewillprogressrecruitmentandinductionofnewpanelmembers,addresstaskssuchasorganisingtraining,reviewingpanelmembers(withtheChair),andkeepingmembers’filesuptodate.

6 Whataboutlegaladvice?Fosteringpanelsareunlikelytohavealegaladviserpresentattheirmeetings,butshouldhaveaccesstolegaladvicewherenecessary.

7 Whoattendsthepanel?Thesocialworkerswhopreparereportsforthepanelwillattend,sometimeswiththeirmanager.Whenthepanelisconsideringtheapprovalofapplicantstofoster,thiswillbetheassessingsocialworker;whenconsideringareview,thiswillbethesupervisingsocialworker.Applicantsandfostercarerswillalsobeinvitedtoattend,andinsomefosteringservicesthiswillbearequirement.Practicewillvary:insomecases,theywillbepresentwheneverthesocialworkerispresent;inotherpanels,theywillonlybepresentforapartofthediscussion.

Panels–whattheyareandwhattheydo

Wherethefosteringpanelconsidersplansforpermanentfosteringforchildren,thesocialworkerforthechildwillalsoattend,sometimesaccompaniedbytheirmanager.Otherpeoplewhoknowthechildwellmayalsoattend,forexample,thechild’sfostercarers.Wherethereareproposalstoplaceachildwithpermanentfostercarers,they,andsocialworkersworkingwiththem,arealsolikelytobepresent.Occasionally,achildoryoungpersonmayattend.

8 Doesthepanelalwaysmakearecommendation?Bythetimethecasereachesthepanel,itshouldbeatthestagewherearecommendationcanbemade.However,thereareexceptionsandthepanelmaydecidetodefer.Exampleswouldbewhentherearesignificantgapsininformationorseriousdeficienciesinthedocumentation.

9 WhathappensifIdonotagree,forexample,thatapplicantsshouldbeapprovedasfostercarers?Therewillbetimeswheneitheronepanelmemberisnotinsupport,orpanelsmaybedividedinrelationtoarecommendation.Thecrucialthingisthatyouhavestudiedthedocumentation,listenedtothosepresentingthecase,askedyourquestionsandreflectedfullytogetherwithyourcolleaguesonthepanel.Youwillneedtoprovidereasonsforthepositionyoutake,andthisappliestowhetheryouaresaying“yes”or“no”inrespectoftherecommendation.

10 CanIchoosenottobepartoftherecommendation?Youwillalwaysbeencouragedtostateyourviewsasfaraspossible,asonlyaquoratepanelcanmakearecommendation.Thereisnothinginlawtosaythatyoucan’tabstain,althoughthiswouldbehighlyunusual.Ifyouarenotconfidentthatsomeoneissuitabletofoster,orcontinuestobesuitabletofoster,thenitisreasonabletoconcludethattheyshouldnotbeapproved,orpermittedtocontinuefostering.Ifyoudowishtoabstain,youwouldhavetobeclearas

towhyyoucouldnotmakeanyrecommendation.Yourviewsandyourreasonswouldberecordedintheminutes.

11 Whathappensafterthepanelrecommendation?Everyfosteringserviceisrequiredtohaveadecisionmaker,usuallysomebodyataseniorlevelwithintheorganisationwhohasparticularknowledgeandresponsibility.Thedecisionmakertakesintoaccountthepanel’srecommendation,readstheminutesofthepanelmeetingandproceedstomakehisorherdecision.Heorshemayrequirefurtherinformationbeforereachingadecision.Inthesesituations,heorshemaytalktokeystaffandtheagencyadviserbeforemakingadecision.NationalMinimumStandards(14.91)requireforthedecisiontobemadewithinsevendays,andkeypartiesshouldbeinformedoftheoutcomebothverballyandinwriting.

12 Dopeopleobjecttothedecisions?Yes,sometimes.Wherethedecisionmakerismindednottoapproveapplicantsortoterminateapprovaloffostercarers,ortochangethetermsoftheirapproval,theyhavetwooptionsiftheyaredissatisfiedwiththeoutcome.Theycanchooseeithertomakerepresentationstothefosteringservice,meaningthatthecasewillcomebacktothepanel,orapplytotheIndependentReviewMechanism(seelaterinthispamphlet).

13 WhatshouldIconsiderbeforedecidingtobecomeapanelmember?Commitment.Youwillbeexpectedtoattendpanelsregularlyandconsistently.Youwillneedtocheckhowoften,andforhowlong,thepanelmeets.

Availability.Whilstthereisalwaysthepossibilitythatsomething,e.g.asuddenillness,maypreventapanelmemberattending,thisshouldbetheexception.Apologiesfromamembermaymeanthepanelisnotquorateandmayneedtobecancelled.Thiswillaffecttheprogressofthecasesunder

4

Panels–whattheyareandwhattheydo

consideration,andmaymeantimescalesarenotmet.Panelmembershipisthereforenotsuitedtopeoplewhoseworkorpersonalcircumstanceswouldroutinelyresultinthembecomingunavailableatshortnotice.

Amount of work.Inadditiontopanelmeetings,youneedtobeabletosetasidesufficienttimetoreadthepaperspreparedforpanel.Thepaperworkisconsiderable.Youwillalsoneedtosetasidetimeforappraisals,trainingdaysandotherrequirements.

Emotional impact.Itisimportanttothinkcarefullyaboutwhetheryoucancopewithdistressinginformationthatmaybecontainedinsomepanelpapers.Thismayalsoariseindiscussionandtheremaybeissuesthatremindyouofyourownhistoryandcircumstances.

Facilities.Thefacilitiesthatyouneedwillvary.Youwillneedtohaveaplacethatallowsyoutoreadpaperswithminimumdisruption.Inordertomakeaninformeddecisiononthis,youwillneedtoknowthespecificarrangementsinthefosteringserviceforwhichyouareconsideringbeingapanelmember.Somepanelssendpapersinhardcopy,meaningthattheyneedtobereceivedbypost(recordeddelivery)andstoredsecurely.Otherpanelsarenowpaperless,andrequiresuitableITarrangementstobeinplace.

Commitment to equality and diversity. Thefosteringserviceshouldhaveanequalityanddiversitypolicyandthiswillunderpintheworkofthepanel.Itisimportantthatyouareawareofyourownattitudesandprejudicesandthatyouarepreparedtolearnandbechallengedifnecessary.Youwillcomeacrossmanykindsoffamiliesincludingmarriedorunmarriedcouples,whetherheterosexualorlesbianorgay,andsinglepeople.Somepeoplemaybedisabled.Youwillalsoconsiderchildrenandfamiliesfromarangeofcultures,religionsandethnicities.Manyofthechildrenhavecomplexneeds.Trainingdaysondiversityareoftenprovidedforpanelmembersandtheseareusefularenasforlearningandreflectingonanti-discriminatoryandchild-centredpractice.

14 Whatistheprocedureforjoiningapanel?Thefirststepwillbetoidentifyafosteringservicethatislookingfornewpanelmembers.Sometimesthese

areadvertisedwidely(forexample,seethevacanciesserviceonwww.corambaaf.org.uk),orlocalauthorityorindependentfosteringservicescanbecontacteddirectlytoseewhethertheyarerecruitingnewpanelmembers.Fosteringservicesshouldhavetransparentandfairprocessesfordecidingwhotoappointtothisrole,andthismayormaynotincludeaninterview.

Thereareregulationsthatstatetherequirementsforanewpanelmember.Youwillbeaskedtosupplyreferences,andyouwillneedanenhancedDisclosureandBarringService(DBS)check.Youwillalsoneedtosignanagreementpreparedbythefosteringservicesettingoutyourobligationsandthoseofthefosteringservice.Thiswillbeheldonanindividualfilethatthefosteringserviceisrequiredtokeepwhilstyouareapanelmember.

Mostfosteringservicespreparealeafletgivingdetailsofpanelmembers,tobesharedwiththoseattending.Youmaybeaskedtosubmitsomebriefinformationaboutyourself,andaphotograph.

Lengthoftenureonafosteringpanelisnotspecifiedandwilldependonthepolicyoftheindividualfosteringservice.Ifyouwishtoleavethepanel,youarerequiredtogiveonemonth’snotice.Thiswillusuallybespecifiedinyouragreement.

15 Howlongdopanelslastandhowoftendotheymeet?Thisvaries,soyouwillneedtoestablishthisinrelationtothepanelyouareintendingtojoin.Somemeetforawholeday,othersmeetforhalfaday,butmayextendthisdependingonthenumberofitemsontheagenda.Frequencyalsovaries,forexample,thepanelmaymeetmonthly,fortnightlyorthree-weekly.Theyareusuallyheldonthesamedayoftheweek,withdatesbeingsetwellinadvance.Theexceptiontothisiswhenadditionalmeetingsarenecessary,oftenatshortnotice,wherememberswillbecontactedandaskedabouttheiravailability.

16 WillIbepaid?Sometimespanelmembersarepaidafee;expensesarealwaysreimbursed.Receiptsmayberequired,forexample,ifyoutravelbypublictransport.Itcanbehelpfultoclarifyattheoutsetwhetheryouwillbe

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THINKINGOFJOININGAFOSTERINGPANEL?

Makingarecommendation

Somethingstothinkabout

paidandhowthiswillbecalculated;themileagerateyouwillbeoffered;howyouwillobtainclaimforms;whetheryouwillbepaidforattendingtrainingandyourreview;andtowhomclaimformsshouldbesubmitted.Themethodforcalculatingpanelpaymentvaries.Somepanelsofferafeeperpanel,whichcoverspreparationtimeaswellasattendance.Otherscalculatetheseseparately,sometimesusinganhourlyrate.Itisalsoadvisabletoconsideryourpositionregardingincometax.

17 HowdoIknowwhatquestionstoaskatpanel?Ittakestimetoknowwhatshouldbeaskedandthereisnoeasyorquickanswertothis;however,thefollowingmayhelp.

Observe a panel before you join.Thisgivesyouanindicationofhowthepaneloperates,thesortsofquestionsthatareasked,andtheframeworkforreachingarecommendation.Someofthebestpanelmembersbegincautiously,takingthetimetofullyunderstandhowthingsworkbeforeachievingfullparticipation.

Note anything you do not understandorarewonderingaboutasyoureadthepapers.If,afterreadingthedocuments,yourequirefurtherinformationorclarification,usethisasabasisforyourquestion.Itisperfectlyacceptabletoaskverybasicquestions.Often,asanewpanelmembertherewillbetimeswhenyouneedthisclarification,andthiswillbeacceptedbyyourcolleaguesonthepanel.

Make a checklistofthethingsyouwouldexpecttoseeinthereportsandkeepthisbyyou.Yourpanelmayprovideasheetonwhichthereareanumberofheadingsandwhereyoucanmakenotesofthiskind,andonewillbesuppliedforeachcase.

Refer to the headingsineachsectionofthereport.Theywillindicatewhatisexpected.Considerwhethertheworkhasaddressedtheseinfull.Isthereaclearanalysisofthereasonsfortheirrecommendation,andisitsupportedbyevidence?

Undertake reading.YoucandevelopyourknowledgebyreadingthekeytextssetoutintheUsefulReadingsectionattheendofthispamphlet.

18 WhathappensifIalreadyknowsomeoneinvolvedinacaseorsomethingaboutit?Ifyoudiscoverthatyouknowoneoftheapplicants,orsomeoneelsecloselyconnectedwiththecase,thiscouldberegardedasaconflictofinterest.Ifapotentialconflictofinterestdoesarise,itshouldbemadeknowntothepanelChairandtheagencyadviserassoonaspossible.Itmayaffectwhetheryoucanparticipateinthatpanelitemandthis,inturn,couldhaveimplicationsforquoracy.Aswellasrelyingonpanelmemberstoraisesuchissuesinadvanceofthepanel,theChairwillusuallyestablishthepositionregardingconflictsofinterestatthestartofeachpanel.TheChairandagencyadviser,sometimeswiththehelpofthelegaladviser,willestablishwhethertheknowledgethatyouhaveissuchthatyoushouldnotparticipate.

19 WillIreceivetraining?Yes.NationalMinimumStandards(23)requirethatnewpanelmembersaregiveninductiontraining,andthatallmembersareofferedatleastoneday’strainingperyear.Itisimportantthatpanelmembersattend.Aswellasdevelopingtheirunderstandingandkeepingpanelmembersuptodatewithnewresearchanddevelopments,trainingcansometimesprovideanopportunitytomeetmembersofotherpanelsanddeveloplinkswithstaffwhopresenttothepanel.Mostpanelstrytoidentifydatesfortrainingwellinadvance,sopanelmemberscanbeavailable.Arecordofthetrainingthatpanelmembersattendiskeptontheirfiles.

20 Willmyperformanceandmembershipofthepanelbereviewed?Guidance(5.15)requiresthateachpanelmemberhastheirperformancereviewedannually,usuallycalledanappraisal.ThisprovidesanopportunityforyoutoreflectonyourparticipationonthepanelandtocommentontheworkingofthepanelwiththeChairandtheagencyadviser.Youwillalsobeabletodiscussthestrengthsyoubringtothetaskandidentifyanyfurthertrainingordevelopmentneeds

6

Meetings,feesandotherquestions

thatyoufeelyoumayhave.Areviewformwillbesenttoyoubeforehandforyoutocompleteandarecordofyourappraisalwillbekeptonyourindividualfile.Arrangementstorenewyourmembershipofthepanelwilldependonthepolicyofthefosteringservice.

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THINKINGOFJOININGAFOSTERINGPANEL?

The satisfaction is in being able to contribute to making a difference to the lives of children and young people. (PANELMEMBER)

Memoriesofpeople’sfirstpanel…Tremendous satisfaction that I got through the first panel without making any glaring errors! How welcoming other panel members were. What an important and onerous role panel plays in the lives of children and young people. How much I enjoyed it! (PANELMEMBER)

Somethingstothinkabout…Do I have time to do the preparatory reading? Do I have time to attend the panel on a regular basis? Do I have time to attend panel training? Do I really have the commitment to be a panel member? Do I have the confidence to contribute to panel discussions? (PANELMEMBER)

The main thing to think about is that it isn’t just the panel meetings but the mountains of paperwork involved. Have you the time and stamina to read through them all and be properly prepared? (PANELMEMBER)

Andfinally…If you really care about children and young people and have an overwhelming interest in being a panel member – then go for it!(PANELMEMBER)

8

Advicepanelmemberswouldgivetoothersthinkingofjoining…

Somewordsandphrasesyoumayhear

Family and friends/kinship care/connected personsThisreferstocareprovidedbyfamilymembersorfriendsforachildwhocannotlivewiththeirparent(s).Somefamilyandfriends/kinshipcarearrangementsareinformalonesmadebetweenthefamilyorfriendandtheparent(s).Othersarearrangementsmadeforchildrenwhoareincareandwouldotherwisebeplacedwithapprovedfostercarers.

Form CThisCoramBAAFdocumentisthereportoftheassessmentforprospectivefamilyandfriendsfostercarers.

Form FThisCoramBAAFdocumentisthereportoftheassessmentofprospectivefostercarers.Itisaveryimportantdocument,representingacomprehensiveassessmentofapplicants’suitabilitytobecomefostercarers.TheFormFiscirculatedtopanelmembersinadvanceoftheirconsiderationofapproval.

Form FRThisisthesetofformsthatCoramBAAFhasdevelopedtoundertakefostercarerreviews.

Independent Review Mechanism for FosteringThisisareviewprocessconductedbyanindependentreviewpanel.Itisopentofostercareapplicantsorapprovedfostercarerswhereadeterminationhasbeenmadethattheyarenotsuitabletofosterornolongersuitable.Thepanelconsidersthecaseandgivesafreshrecommendationtotheserviceforconsideration.

Long-term/permanent foster careSomechildrenandyoungpeopleareunabletoreturntotheirfamiliesandrequirealong-termorpermanentfosterplacement.Inthesecases,thefostercarersbecometheyoungperson’s“familyforlife”evenaftertheyhaveceasedtobefostered.

Parent and child foster careWhereachildissubjecttocareproceedings,thecourtmayrequestaresidentialparentingassessmentandthiscanbeundertakeninafosterhome.Fostercarerscanprovideanarrangementorplacementfortheparentandchild(usuallyababy),offersupportandguidancetotheparent,andarepartoftheassessmentprocess.Carersshouldbespeciallytrainedandsupportedtocarryoutthiswork.

QuoracyAfosteringpanelmusthaveatleastfivememberspresentinordertobequorate,buttocomplywiththeregulations,therealsohastobeaparticularcombinationofmembers.TheChairorVice-chairmustattend,togetherwithatleastonesocialworker.

Regulation 24Thisistheregulationwherebyachildwhoneedstobelookedafterincarecanbeplacedimmediatelywithaconnectedperson.

Remand foster careWhereayoungpersonisprosecutedforanoffence,thecourtmaydecidetoremandhimorhertolocalauthoritycare.Insomecases,theyoungperson’swelfareneedsarebestmetinfostercare.Remandfostercarersreceivespecialtrainingandsupporttoprovideplacementstoyoungpeopleonremand.

Short break careShortbreakcareisaservicedesignedtosupportchildrenwithintheirownfamilies.Shortbreakcarersproviderespiteplacementsforchildrenatregularintervals,forexample,oneweekendeachmonthoraweekatatimeduringschoolholidays.Someshortbreakcareservicesaredesignedspecificallyfordisabledchildren.Othersincludeprovidingrespiteforfull-timefostercarers.Thisserviceissometimesreferredtoasrespitefostering.

Short-term/task-centred foster careMostchildrenwhocomeintocarereturntotheirparentsoranotherpermanentcarer.Short-termortask-centredfostercarersprovideplacementsforchildrenuntiltheirfutureisresolved.Thiscanbeanythingfromacoupleofdaystoyears.

Special guardianshipThisisanorderintroducedbytheAdoptionandChildrenAct2002(EnglandandWales),offeringanalternativelegalstatusforchildren.Itgivesaspecialguardianparentalresponsibilityforachildwhichheorshecanexercisetotheexclusionofothers.Thebirthparentretainsparentalresponsibilityandthechildisnotlookedafterbythelocalauthority.Supportservices,includingfinancialsupport,aresimilartothoseforadoptivefamilies.

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THINKINGOFJOININGAFOSTERINGPANEL?

10

Notes

11

THINKING OF JOINING A FOSTERING PANEL?

Effective Fostering Panels: Guidance for local authorities, fostering agencies and panel members in EnglandSarahBorthwickwithJeniferLordFosteringpanelshaveacrucialroletoplayintheprovisionandmonitoringoffostercare.Thisguidebringstogetherthekeymessagesinregulations,standardsandinspectionsaboutfosteringpanelsformembersofpanelsaswellasfostercarers,managersandworkersinfosteringagencies.Itoffersgoodpracticepointstoagenciesintheoperationofeffectivepanelsandisapplicabletoallfosteringserviceproviders.

Thinking about fostering?HenriettaBondThisguideexplainswhatfosteringmeansandhowtogoaboutit,coveringthekindsofchildrenneedingtobefosteredandwhy;thereasonswhypeoplefoster;whatsortofpeoplefosteringagenciesarelookingfor;andthelegalaspectsandremuneration.

Foster Carer ReviewsHelenCosisBrownThispracticeguidesetsouttheprocessandpracticalitiesforfostercarerreviewsandmakesrecommendationsforgoodpractice.Itcoversthepolicyandlegalframework,thesocialworkknowledgerequired,andhowtosetupandadministerreviews.

Effective Adoption and Fostering Panels in ScotlandMarjorieMorrisonThisistheonlycomprehensiveguideonadoptionandfosteringpanelsinScotland,andavaluableresourceforsocialworkersandpanelmembers.Coveringtherolesandresponsibilitiesofpanelmembers,thelegislationinvolvedandadviceonhowpanelscanimprovetheirwork,thisbookisidealforallnewandexistingpanelmembers.

Undertaking a Fostering Assessment – EnglandRogerChapmanThisguideisdesignedtohelpsocialworkerstoplanandcarryoutacomprehensiveandevidence-basedassessmentofprospectivefostercarers,usingtheCoramBAAFFormF(forEngland).Theguideprovidesassistanceincollectingtheinformationandconsidersbestpractice.

Undertaking a Foster Carer ReviewPaulAdamsThisguideisdesignedtohelpsocialworkerstoplanandcarryoutacomprehensiveandevidence-basedreviewoffostercarers,usingtheCoramBAAFFormFR(England).Theguideprovidesassistanceincollectingtheinformationandconsidersbestpractice.

Undertaking a Connected Person/Family and Friends AssessmentPaulAdamsThisguideisdesignedtohelpsocialworkerstoplanandcarryoutacomprehensiveandevidence-basedassessmentofconnectedpeople/familyandfriendswhowishtofosterorbespecialguardianstoaknownchild/children.ItisdesignedtobeusedwiththeCoramBAAFFormC(forEngland).

To order, contact CoramBAAF Publications on 020 7520 7517 or visit www.corambaaf.org.uk/bookshop

Usefulreading

THINKINGOFJOININGAFOSTERINGPANEL?

12

Written by Pat BeesleyPatBeesleyisanexperiencedsocialworkerandmanagerinfosteringandadoption.Shehastrainedfosteringandadoptionstaffandpanelmembers.Shealsochairsafosteringpanel.

Updated by Paul Adams

PublishedbyCoramBAAF41BrunswickSquareLondonWC1N1AZwww.corambaaf.org.uk

Charityregistration312278

©CoramBAAF2019

BritishLibraryCataloguinginPublicationDataAcataloguerecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibraryISBN9781905664887

DesignedbyHelenJoubertDesignsPrintedintheUKbyTheLavenhamPress

Allrightsreserved.Apartfromanyfairdealingforthepurposesofresearchorprivatestudy,orcriticismorreview,aspermittedundertheCopyright,DesignsandPatentsAct1988,thispublicationmaynotbereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthepublishers.

AcknowledgementsThanksgotoJenniferCousins,SarahBorthwickandMarionHundlebyfortheircommentsonthispamphlet.ThispamphlethasbeencloselymodelledonThinkingofJoininganAdoptionPanel?,bySarahBorthwickandMarionHundleby