Fostering panels have a crucial role to play in the provision and monitoring of foster care for looked after children and foster families. Members of fostering panels need up-to-date information and advice in order to carry out their duties effectively and responsibly. This guide brings together the key messages in regulations, standards and inspections about fostering panels.

It offers good practice points to agencies in the operation of effective panels and is relevant to all fostering service providers. Although the fostering regulations apply in England only, agencies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland should find many of the practice points applicable.

Who is this book for?

Members of fostering panels, as well as foster carers, managers and workers in fostering agencies.

What you will find in this book

The guide explores:

• How to establish a fostering panel
• Agency policy and practice
• The children requiring foster care
• Considering the approval of foster carers
• Family and friends as foster carers
• Reviews, changes and terminations of approval
• Monitoring and quality assurance.

Appendices, including a glossary of useful terms, sample job descriptions, person specifications and review forms for panel members and panel Chairs, are all provided at the end of the guide and can be purchased as electronic downloads.