Attending a fostering panel can feel like a big moment, and it is, but it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. It’s essentially the final step in your fostering assessment, where a group of experienced professionals review your application and make a recommendation about your suitability to become a foster carer.
Here’s what you can expect:
Who’s on the Panel?
• A mix of professionals including social workers, medical advisors, therapists, and people with personal experience of fostering or being fostered.
• Independent members to ensure fairness and a broad perspective.
What happens during the meeting?
• You’ll be invited to attend the panel in person alongside your assessing worker and receive information about panel members and their background.
• Panel members will have read your report ahead of the meeting, and will highlight the strengths they’ve identified.
• In addition they’ll usually have a few questions to put to your social worker, but would welcome your contribution too. The questions are usually based on your assessment and your personal experiences and preparation for fostering.
• The panel understands you might be nervous and will do their best to make you feel comfortable.
After the Panel discussion
• You’ll step out while the panel discusses and makes a recommendation: approval, rejection, or deferral (if they need more information).
• You’ll then be invited back in to hear the outcome.
• The final decision is made by the Agency Decision Maker, who reviews the panel’s recommendation and confirms it within about seven to ten days.
Be honest and reflective—this isn’t a test, it’s a conversation. Think about your motivations and readiness and ask questions if you have any. Panel members consider it a privilege to meet new carers to the agency.
