Review and Termination of Approval of Foster Carers
Related guidance
Amendment
In December 2025 this chapter was updated in line with local procedure.
Formal reviews of foster carers will take place at least annually.
Reviews will take place more frequently in the event of a significant change in circumstances of a foster carer for example where there are concerns about the care provided by the foster carer as a result of a complaint or allegation.
As well as formal reviews, there will be regular dialogue and feedback between the fostering worker and the foster carer.
Prior to the formal review, the fostering social worker will send to the foster carer a copy of the review report to enable them to prepare for the review in advance. The foster carer will have the opportunity to communicate their views verbally or in writing to the fostering worker.
The fostering social worker will also, as part of the formal review, seek the views of all members of the foster carer's household as well as the written comments and opinions as to the foster carer from all social workers who have used the foster carer for a placement since the last formal review as recorded on the social worker's end of placement report. This will include contacting a social worker from outside the authority where appropriate.
The fostering social worker will also seek and take into account the views of any child placed with the foster carer since the last review and seek the views of the child's Independent Reviewing Officer and child’s social worker.
The review will be informed by an earlier meeting held between the fostering worker and the foster carer at the foster home.
The First Review will be held at Fostering Panel. Subsequent annual reviews will usually be held locally, and chaired by the Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer .
The agenda for reviews; as set out in the Foster Carer Review Report, will include an appraisal of the foster carer's training and development needs, an evaluation of the training received since their approval or last review, the foster carer's views of the service and support provided as well as the appropriateness of placements made and the care provided by the foster carer.
A Review Report will be completed and any recommendations discussed with the foster carer and recorded. The foster carer should have the opportunity to put their views on the recommendations in writing to be presented to the Fostering Panel, Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer or the Agency Decision Maker (Fostering) when the Review Form is considered.
The First Review will be held at Fostering Panel. Subsequent annual reviews will usually be held locally, and chaired by the Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer. The Fostering Panel and the Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer make a recommendation which is then considered by the Agency Decision Maker; who makes the final decision regarding Foster Carers’ Approvals.
Circumstances whereby a Review would need to be presented to the Fostering Panel:
- First Review after approval as a Foster Carer
- Where there has been a significant change to the fostering household; including separation, birth or death within the household, significant change in health of the Foster Carers.
- Review following an allegation, incident or concern regarding a Foster Carer or member of the household.
- Where an updating Disclosure and Barring Service check reveals a new concern about the foster carer or a member of the household.
- Review where the termination of the Foster Carer Approval is being recommended.
The fostering worker will present the Review Report and recommendations to the Fostering Panel or Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer. The written report will assess the Foster Carers’ suitability to remain approved and will include the views of the child or children placed, the written views of the foster carer, the views of all household members, feedback from the child social workers and Independent Reviewing Officer of any child cared for by the Foster Carer’s within the review period; including any concerns raised. Any recommendations for change in the foster carer's approval should be highlighted in the report.
Where the Review recommends the termination of approval of the foster carer, see Section 5.1, Proposal to Terminate Foster Carer's Approval.
Where the Fostering Panel's recommendation is for a different category of approval, see Section 5.2, Proposal to Revise the Terms of the Foster Carer's Approval.
Where the foster carer has decided to give up fostering, see Section 7, Resignation by Foster Carers.
The foster carer will be informed in writing by the fostering worker of the outcome of the review.
A copy of the Review Report and a record of the outcome of the review will be retained on the foster carer's case record.
Where, as a result of a review, the termination of a foster carer's approval is proposed, written notice of the proposal and the reasons must be sent to the foster carer within 7 days of the decision and they must be advised that if they wish to challenge the decision, they have the opportunity to make representations to the Agency Decision Maker or to request a review by an Independent Review Panel under the Independent Review Mechanism as set out in the Assessment and Approvals of Foster Carers Procedure, Representations / Independent Review Procedure.
The foster carer will not have the right to request a review by an Independent Review Panel if they are regarded as disqualified as a result of a conviction or caution for a specified offence - see Persons Disqualified from Fostering Procedure.
Notification / representations will need to be received by the Agency Decision Maker within 28 days of the date of the notice of the decision being sent to them. In some circumstances, the matter may be referred to the Fostering Panel, and the Panel Administrator will then notify the foster carer within 7 working days of the date when the Panel will reconsider the matter (see also Information about the IRM for Foster Carers).
Foster carers wishing to make representations in person to the Panel may be accompanied by a friend or supporter. Where a foster carer wishes to make representations in person, the Panel Chair may consider the Panel meeting as a smaller quorate sub-group.
The Panel will make a new recommendation in relation to the foster carer and a final decision will be made by the Agency Decision Maker taking into account any fresh recommendation made by the Panel.
If no written representations or notification of a request for a review are received within the period, a final decision to terminate can be made.
Written notice of the final decision, together with reasons, must then be sent to the foster carer within 7 working days of the final decision.
Where the termination of the approval of a foster carer is being considered, plans for the termination of any current placement will also be required and made as appropriate.
Where the approval is terminated, the Agency Decision Maker, in consultation with the Designated Officer in the local authority (LADO) will decide whether to refer the former foster carer to the Disclosure and Barring Service for inclusion of the carer's name on the Children's Barred List.
5.2.1 Where the Foster Carer is in Agreement
Where, as a result of a review, it is proposed to revise the terms of the foster carer's approval, a statement must be sent to the foster carer setting out whether it is considered that the foster carer or members of their household (including any children placed there) may have additional support needs as a result of the proposed revision and, if so, how those needs will be met, and request the foster carer's agreement in writing to the proposed revision of terms.
Where the foster carer's written agreement is received, the decision to revise the terms of approval may be made immediately.
The Agency Decision Maker's decision in such circumstances is not a Qualifying Determination and the foster carer may not apply for an independent review of the decision by way of the Independent Review Mechanism.
Foster carers must not be pressured to accept changes to their terms of approval.
5.2.2 Where the Foster Carer is not in Agreement
Where the foster carer does not agree in writing to the revision of their terms of approval, then the representations / review procedure as set out in Section, 5.1 Proposal to Terminate Foster Carer's Approval will apply.
Disclosure and Barring Service checks should be updated every 3 years (unless the foster carers have subscribed to the Disclosure and Barring Service Update Service) and if necessary, a review of the foster carer's approval should be carried out immediately to take account of any new information.
See Persons Disqualified from Fostering Procedure.
Whilst there is no statutory time interval, as good practice, medical information should also be updated at least every 3 years by writing to the foster carer’s GP. In the event of any serious concerns about the foster carers' health, a review of the foster carers' approval should be carried out immediately.
A foster carer may give written notice at any time of their wish to resign from the role. Once written notice has been given, their approval will automatically be terminated 28 days after receipt of the notice. The foster carer cannot withdraw their notice once it has been received, nor can the Agency Decision Maker decline to accept the resignation. Should a foster carer who has resigned subsequently wish to foster again, they will need to be assessed under the procedure for Assessment and Approval of Foster Carers. There is no requirement for the fostering panel to be notified of resignations. However the panel may find it helpful to be advised, as part of its monitoring role.
Where a Foster Carer submits their resignation from the role and this is within 12 months of their approval as a Foster Carer; a Resignation Meeting should be held. The purpose of a resignation meeting is not to apportion blame but to consider the events that led to the resignation and reflect on any learning for the Department.
The resignation meeting will be chaired by the Fostering Team Manager.
Those invited, or asked to contribute, should be:
- The foster carer(s) and supervising social worker;
- The foster carer's children;
- The fostering assessing social worker and their manager;
- The child's social worker and manager (if there was a child living with the Foster Carers at the time of resignation);
- The child's Independent Reviewing Officer (if there was a child living with the Foster Carers at the time of resignation);
- Other relevant staff/professionals.
The precise agenda will depend on the circumstances, but the chairperson should ensure the circumstances leading to the resignation are properly reviewed, and that all concerned are provided with opportunities to express their views freely with a view to establishing:
- How and why the resignation occurred;
- To learn from what happened and avoid the same thing happening again - for other newly approved or prospective foster carers;
- To identify work to be done and to ensure it is completed;
- To ensure that any appropriate notifications have been undertaken.
An example of a Resignation Meeting template can be found here.
The chairperson should keep minutes, which must be circulated to all concerned. These will be shared at the fostering managers' meeting for learning points to be discussed.
Last Updated: December 2, 2025
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