How is approval reviewed in voluntary foster care?

A voluntary foster care approval review is a structured assessment of whether your approval remains suitable and whether you have the right support, skills and circumstances to continue fostering. It is not normally a completely new application. Instead, it brings together evidence from your fostering work, supervision, training, household circumstances and the needs of any children placed with you.

Before the review

Your supervising social worker will usually help you prepare by discussing your fostering year and identifying information that needs to be considered. This may include:

• the progress, wellbeing and needs of children you have cared for;
• your relationships with children, birth families, social workers, schools and other professionals;
• how you have managed safeguarding, behaviour, boundaries and confidentiality;
• training completed and any further development that would be useful;
• supervision records, placement reports, significant events and any complaints or allegations;
• changes in your health, household, employment, relationships, accommodation or availability to foster; and
• your views about the types of placements you can safely and confidently accept.

You should be given an opportunity to read and comment on the review information. If something is inaccurate or lacks context, raise it with your supervising social worker so that your response can be recorded. Keeping your own notes about training, supervision discussions, significant events and placement progress can make this process easier.

What happens during the review

The review considers both your practical experience and your continuing suitability. You may be asked to reflect on what has gone well, what has been difficult and how you have used advice from your fostering service. The discussion should also consider whether your current approval matches your skills, household and the needs of children who may be placed with you.

The review is not only about identifying problems. It can recognise development, clarify expectations and identify support or training that would help you continue safely. For example, the outcome may include a development plan, additional supervision, refresher training or a clearer agreement about the types of placement that are appropriate.

The views of children and young people who have lived with you may form part of the evidence, together with feedback from their social workers, education professionals and birth family where relevant. Their views should be handled sensitively and alongside other information, taking account of age, understanding and individual circumstances.

Changes to approval

Your approval is linked to specific terms, such as the number of children you may foster, their age range, gender, needs or the type of placements considered suitable. A review may identify that these terms should be widened, narrowed or otherwise amended. Any proposed change should be discussed with you, explained clearly and based on evidence about safety, capacity, experience and the needs of children.

You should not accept a placement that falls outside your approval terms unless the appropriate authority has agreed the necessary change through the proper process. Ask your fostering service to explain any proposed amendment and how it will affect future placement decisions.

If concerns are identified

Where the review identifies concerns, the fostering service should explain what they are, what evidence has been considered and what action is expected. This might involve further training, closer supervision, a written improvement plan or a temporary restriction on particular placement types. Serious concerns may lead to a separate investigation or a formal process about whether approval should continue. These matters should not come as an unexplained surprise; you should be told how to respond and who will make the decision.

If you disagree with the review outcome or a proposed change, ask for the reasons in writing and find out what review, representation or appeal arrangements apply to your fostering service. You may also wish to take independent advice, particularly if the concern could affect your approval. The exact procedure depends on the organisation and the circumstances, so read the agency’s policies and fostering agreement carefully.

How to prepare

• Read the review paperwork carefully and correct factual errors.
• Gather evidence of completed training and consider areas where you want more guidance.
• Think about how you have responded to difficult situations, not just the outcomes.
• Tell your supervising social worker about relevant household or health changes rather than waiting for the meeting.
• Prepare questions about your approval terms, support plan and future placement preferences.
• Be open about challenges, as honest discussion helps the fostering service assess what support or safeguards are needed.

Following the review, you should receive a clear record of the conclusions and any actions agreed. Keep this with your fostering records and check that responsibilities, timescales and follow-up arrangements are understood. Approval is safest when it continues to reflect your actual circumstances, skills and capacity, rather than an earlier stage of your fostering journey.