What is a fostering panel?
A fostering panel is a group of people who review the completed foster carer assessment and make a recommendation as to whether the applicants should be approved to foster. The recommendation is then reviewed by a senior manager of the fostering service (the ‘agency decision maker’) who makes the decision as to whether to approve the applicants to foster.
Panel members
The fostering regulations stipulate that a panel must comprise of the following positions:
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An independent panel chair. The fostering provider must also recruit a vice chair who can step in for the independent panel chair if they aren’t available; if the vice chair isn’t independent of the fostering provider, at least one other member of panel must be.
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A qualified social worker who may also act as panel advisor.
3,4 and 5. Three other members who have relevant experience, such as someone with care experience, a foster carer, a health representative and/or an education specialist.
Sparks Fostering aims to have between 5 to 7 members at panel, but some providers may have up to 12 members on each panel.
Panel processes
Panel members review completed fostering assessments (including reviews) and any other relevant fostering provider paperwork. Panel members then meet (either in person or remotely) to discuss any pertinent issues.
Sparks Fostering also reduces any pre-panel anxiety by asking panel members to give feedback before the panel meeting. By doing so, Sparks Fostering has advanced warning if panel members have significant concerns. Sparks Fostering prepares responses for panel before the meeting. By taking these steps, panel is short, efficient and causes minimal stress for everyone involved.
Panel location
Most fostering providers expect carers and panel members to attend an office to complete panel; however, at Sparks Fostering all panels are carried out online. The assessing social worker attends the applicant’s home to offer them reassurance and technical assistance if required.
Fostering applicants and approved carers can also invite someone to support them at panel if they wish to.
