FOSTERING PANEL
Before final approval, you’ll be invited to attend a fostering panel where an independent group of individuals will review your assessment report and provide a recommendation regarding your suitability to foster. They will also determine the specific terms of your approval, such as the age range and number of children you can care for.
Typically comprised of 6 to 10 members, the fostering panel boasts a diverse range of backgrounds, expertise, and experiences related to children. Some members have backgrounds in social care, while others bring first hand experience with fostering or being in care themselves. Additionally, the panel includes a chairperson, a minute taker, a social worker, and a panel advisor.
This diversity ensures that your assessment is examined from various perspectives, guaranteeing that you possess the capabilities to meet the needs of children in care and offer them the necessary guidance and support for their well-being and development.
WHAT HAPPENS AT A FOSTERING PANEL?
On the day of the fostering panel, you’ll arrive at your local Organic fostering center and wait in the designated area while the panel reviews your assessment and any accompanying documents.
You’ll then be invited to join the panel, accompanied by your assessing social worker, to address any inquiries they may have. The specific questions asked will vary depending on the details of your assessment. For instance, if you’re a single applicant, queries may focus on your support network, while if you have children, there may be questions about their perspective on fostering.
Following the question-and-answer session, you’ll return to the waiting area while the panel deliberates on your suitability to foster. Once a recommendation is reached, you’ll be welcomed back into the room to receive their feedback.
