What happens during a foster carer’s annual review in Warwickshire?

The annual review normally involves a structured discussion with your supervising social worker, followed by a written assessment of your continuing suitability to foster. It considers your practice over the review period, the needs of the children placed with you, your development and any changes that could affect your approval.

Before the review

Your fostering team will usually ask you to provide information about your experience since the previous review. This may include:

• the placements you have supported and how each child’s needs were addressed;
• progress against objectives or recommendations from the previous review;
• training completed and any further learning you need;
• supervision discussions, support received and areas where additional help would be useful;
• changes in your household, health, employment, relationships, accommodation or other circumstances; and
• any complaints, allegations, significant incidents or safeguarding matters connected with a placement.

You should also think about what has gone well, what has been difficult and whether the age range, number of children or types of placements you are approved for still reflect your circumstances. Keeping records of training, meetings, achievements and concerns can help you give accurate information.

What is discussed at the meeting

The review is an opportunity to look at your fostering practice in detail rather than simply confirm that you wish to continue. You may discuss how you have contributed to care plans, supported education and health needs, promoted safe contact with family members, managed behaviour and worked with social workers and other professionals.

Feedback may be gathered from people involved in the placements, subject to confidentiality and safeguarding requirements. This can include children and young people, their social workers, education or health professionals and members of your household. The review should take account of the child’s experience, while protecting private information about everyone involved.

Your supervising social worker will also consider whether your approval remains suitable. For example, the review may examine whether your current approval terms, skills, household arrangements and available space continue to match the placements you could safely support. You can raise a request to change your approval, although a change may require further assessment and a formal decision.

Training and support needs

Training is considered in relation to both completed courses and practical development. You may be asked to identify subjects where you would benefit from more knowledge, such as trauma, attachment, managing behaviour, therapeutic approaches, safer caring or supporting a child’s identity and relationships.

The review should also identify the support needed for future placements. This might involve additional supervision, advice from specialist professionals, help with a particular child’s care plan or consideration of whether a proposed placement is appropriate for your household. Raising a concern during the review is part of responsible fostering practice; it does not mean that you have failed.

Who makes the decision?

Your supervising social worker usually prepares a review report and recommends an outcome. Depending on the agency’s procedure and the circumstances, the report may be considered by a fostering panel or referred to the agency decision-maker. The final decision is not made solely on the basis of an informal conversation.

Possible outcomes include continuing approval without changes, updating objectives or training requirements, or changing the terms of approval following further consideration. If there are serious concerns about safety, standards of care or suitability, the agency must follow its formal procedures and give you information about the concerns and the opportunity to respond. The review paperwork should explain the decision and any actions expected of you.

After the review

You should receive or be able to comment on the written record, in line with your agency’s procedure. Check that it accurately reflects your views, the agreed actions and any support requested. Keep a copy and ask your supervising social worker to clarify anything that is unclear.

A useful preparation checklist is to:

• read the last review report and note which actions have been completed;
• bring your training record and examples of relevant learning;
• prepare questions about support, supervision and future placements;
• identify any changes in your household or circumstances; and
• make sure your views, including any disagreement with the report, are recorded.

An annual review is therefore both an accountability process and a planning discussion. It gives the agency evidence to confirm whether your fostering arrangements remain appropriate and gives you a formal opportunity to request the training, supervision or changes needed to foster safely and effectively.