A Fostering Panel carries out a final check of all the information that has been gathered throughout the assessment process and makes its recommendation.
Right from the start they were brilliant, through the initial assessment and on to Panel, they couldn’t have been more helpful and supportive, what a difference to our experience with a local authority. We have been with them now for 2 years and we couldn’t be happier, the level of support is outstanding, both for ourselves and more importantly for the looked after children.
The purpose of the panel is so they can carry out one final check of all the information that has been gathered throughout the assessment process.
Panel meetings take place at your local fostering office or a venue close by. You’ll be invited to attend and your assessing social worker will be at your side to offer support throughout.
You will probably be asked questions during the panel process. Your assessing social worker will have helped prepare you in advance. The panel will then consider your assessment and make their recommendation.
Once the panel agrees with your local agency’s recommendation to approve your foster carer application, it will then be passed to the Agency Decision Maker (ADM).
The ADM’s role is to ensure children are safeguarded correctly and will appropriately challenge the agency and Panel when making a final decision. You’ll be informed at the panel whether you are being recommended as approved to the ADM.