How are approved foster carers reviewed after approval?

After approval, a foster carer takes part in a formal review with their fostering service. The review considers the evidence gathered during fostering, gives the carer an opportunity to respond, and records whether their approval should continue unchanged or whether further action is needed.

What happens before the review? The supervising social worker normally helps the foster carer prepare by explaining the process, gathering relevant records and identifying matters that need discussion. This may include supervision notes, placement records, training completed, safer-care documentation, medical or household updates, and feedback from people involved in the child’s care. The carer should have the opportunity to provide their own comments, including information about what has gone well and any difficulties they have experienced.

Information may also be obtained from children in placement, their social workers, education or health professionals, birth family members where appropriate, and other household members. The information used must be relevant to the carer’s role and handled in line with confidentiality and safeguarding requirements. A child’s views should be taken seriously, while recognising that the child’s age, understanding and circumstances affect how those views are gathered.

Who is involved? The supervising social worker usually prepares the review report and discusses it with the foster carer. Depending on the circumstances and the fostering service’s procedures, the report may then be considered by a fostering panel or by the agency decision-maker. The carer should be told how their service’s process works and whether they can submit written comments before a decision is made.

The carer can raise concerns during the review, such as insufficient support, difficulties accessing training, disagreements about a placement plan or the effect of fostering on other household members. A review is not only an assessment of the carer; it is also an opportunity to check whether the fostering service has provided the guidance, supervision and resources needed for safe care.

What decisions can follow? The possible outcome depends on the evidence and the terms of the carer’s approval. The fostering service may:

• continue the approval without changing its terms;
• set specific actions, such as completing further learning, improving record-keeping or obtaining additional support;
• recommend changing the terms of approval, for example the age range, number of children or type of placement the carer is approved to offer;
• arrange additional monitoring or an earlier review where a matter needs closer consideration; or
• consider whether approval should be ended where safe fostering cannot be maintained.

A proposed change to approval should be explained to the foster carer, including the reasons and any opportunity to make representations. Where a fostering panel or agency decision-maker is involved, the relevant recommendations and decision-making steps should be communicated clearly. The carer should receive a record of the outcome and any actions they are expected to complete.

Can a review take place earlier than planned? Yes. A fostering service may bring a review forward when there has been a significant change in the household, a serious concern, an allegation, a placement ending in difficult circumstances, or a request to alter the carer’s approval. A carer should also tell their supervising social worker about changes that could affect fostering, such as a change in household membership, health, accommodation, employment or ability to care safely. The appropriate response will depend on the facts and may involve additional assessment or safeguarding procedures rather than waiting for the next scheduled review.

The review does not replace the ongoing supervision and statutory monitoring that take place during placements. Foster carers should keep records, follow agreed care and safeguarding plans, report significant incidents promptly and discuss concerns with their supervising social worker as they arise. Keeping accurate information throughout the year makes the formal review more useful and helps ensure that decisions are based on the child’s day-to-day experience rather than a single meeting.

If a carer disagrees with the outcome, they should ask the fostering service to explain the decision, the evidence relied upon and the available representations, complaints or appeals process. The exact route depends on the nature of the decision and the service’s procedures, so it is important to act within any stated timescales and seek independent advice where necessary.