How is a foster placement reviewed after the child moves in?

After a child moves into a foster home, their placement is reviewed as part of the looked-after child review process. The review checks whether the placement continues to meet the child’s needs, considers their progress and welfare, and confirms what actions or support are required. It is separate from the foster carer’s supervision meetings, although information from both should inform planning.

The review timetable is normally:

• the first review within 20 working days of the child becoming looked after;
• the second review within three months of the first; and
• further reviews at least every six months after that.

A review can be arranged sooner if there is a significant change in circumstances, a concern about the child’s safety or wellbeing, difficulty in the placement, or uncertainty about whether the current arrangements remain suitable.

The meeting is usually overseen by an independent reviewing officer, who is separate from the professionals responsible for arranging the child’s care. The reviewing officer should make sure that the child’s care plan is being followed, that the child’s views are heard and that decisions are properly considered. The child’s social worker, foster carer and other relevant people may contribute, depending on the child’s circumstances. This can include the child’s parents, an advocate, education or health professionals, and other adults involved in the child’s plan.

The child should be helped to take part in a way that is appropriate for their age, understanding and communication needs. They may attend all or part of the meeting, speak privately with the reviewing officer, provide their views in writing or through an advocate, or choose not to attend. A foster carer’s observations are particularly important because they can describe how the child is managing in everyday life, while also respecting the child’s privacy and the limits of their role.

Topics considered during a placement review commonly include:

• the child’s health, emotional wellbeing and development;
• their education, attendance, achievements and any additional learning needs;
• how they are settling into the foster home and relationships within it;
• contact with parents, relatives and other important people;
• the child’s wishes and feelings, including any concerns they have raised;
• the arrangements for day-to-day care and the decisions delegated to the foster carer;
• any safeguarding concerns, incidents, missing episodes or changes in behaviour;
• whether the current placement remains appropriate and stable; and
• the longer-term plan, such as reunification, a move to another placement, special guardianship, adoption or staying in foster care.

The review should not be limited to whether there has been a serious problem. It is also an opportunity to identify what is working, whether the child’s needs have changed and whether the adults around them are giving consistent support. For example, the review may identify a need for additional therapeutic help, changes to contact arrangements, support with education, clearer boundaries around decision-making or further information for the foster carer.

Before the meeting, the foster carer should keep accurate records and share relevant observations with their supervising social worker and the child’s social worker. Useful information may include changes in mood or behaviour, health appointments, school feedback, contact outcomes, achievements, incidents and the child’s own comments. Records should be factual, dated and respectful. The foster carer should avoid making assumptions or presenting opinions as facts.

The supervising social worker can help the foster carer prepare for the review, understand the information being requested and identify questions to raise. They can also help the carer distinguish between matters for the child’s review and matters that should be dealt with through supervision, safeguarding procedures or the placement support plan.

At the end of the review, decisions and actions should be recorded in the review record or updated care plan. This should make clear:

• what has been agreed;
• who is responsible for each action;
• when the action should be completed;
• what support or services are to be provided; and
• when the next review or earlier follow-up will take place.

The review does not automatically mean that a child will move foster home. Its purpose is to assess the arrangements and make sure decisions remain focused on the child’s welfare and care plan. If a move is being considered, the reasons should be explained, the child’s views should be taken into account and the relevant professionals should plan the transition carefully.

Foster carers should ask for clarification if they do not understand a decision, believe an agreed action has not been completed or are worried that the placement is becoming difficult to sustain. They should raise urgent safeguarding concerns through the appropriate local procedures rather than waiting for the next scheduled review.