Southwark fostering service statement of purpose 2024 to 25

The recruitment hub has one full time social worker and employs a number of highly experienced independent assessing social workers to carry out assessments. They receive regular supervision and consultation from the recruitment manager throughout the course of the assessment. 

Southwark aims for foster carer assessments to be completed and presented to the fostering panel within six months from the date of allocation to the assessor. In some circumstances, it may take longer - for example, if the applicants have personal problems that arise during the assessment process, or if there are unavoidable delays in obtaining all the necessary references and safeguarding checks. 

Southwark uses the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) form F to record the assessment. The form F consists of a number of sections that, taken together, sets out in writing all the relevant information about the applicant(s) that is required by the fostering panel. This includes detailed information about the applicant(s) in respect of:

• family background 
• education and employment background 
• any relevant health issues 
• experience of parenting or caring for children 
• support network (extended family, friends, neighbours, faith groups etc) 
• home and accommodation available for fostering 
• local community resources 
• pets (if applicable)
• ability to meet the needs of looked after children 
• understanding and commitment to meeting children’s identity needs, being mindful that southwark is a diverse multicultural community 
• outcome of all safeguarding checks and personal references 

Throughout the assessment the assessor will be working with the applicant(s) to identify specific evidence that the applicants have the necessary attitudes and competencies to meet the needs of looked after children and young people. 

Southwark recognises that fostering is a challenging and complex activity and requires foster carers to have a wide range of skills and abilities. Southwark does not expect carers to have experience or competence in every conceivable area, rather, it is about identifying;

• the relevant competencies that the applicant already has and that can be evidenced 
• where the applicants will need further training and support
• how best to help the applicants develop confidence and skills 

The social worker carrying out the assessment will typically visit the applicant(s) at their home on six or seven occasions over a five month period. The applicant(s) may be asked to do preparatory work for assessment interviews, for example completing a chronology and genogram, reading articles about fostering, or keeping a diary to record a typical week in their family life. 

The assessor will also meet with three personal referees, including one family member, and will aim to interview any former cohabiting partners and any adult children who may have left home.

At the end of the assessment process the assessor will draw together the relevant information and the assessor’s analysis and recommendations into a form F report. The draft report is shared with the applicant(s) and they are invited to add their comments. 

The final report is then submitted to the Fostering Recruitment Manager for a final check before it is copied and sent to members of the fostering panel who will be considering the application.

Pre-approval training 

Applicants are required to attend a three day preparation and training group which involves looking at the key elements of fostering. The preparation group programme is based on the “Skills to Foster” format designed by Fostering Network. Two supervising social workers facilitate the group. 

Some sessions involve foster carers and other professionals. Areas covered in the training include the role of a foster carer, child protection and safe caring, attachment theory, the Secure Base model of care giving, managing behaviour, promoting contact, valuing diversity, and caring for children who have been abused. 

The report also includes references from people who know the applicant well as well as the checks which are made on all adult household members and frequent visitors. This information is used to produce a report giving a detailed picture of the prospective carer(s) and their family. The report also includes recommendations for the type of placement the applicant and the assessor believes they are best suited to, along with an analysis of the carer’s strengths and limitations.

The fostering panel and approvals of foster carers 

Southwark’s independent fostering panel consists of people with a range of relevant personal and professional experience. The panel is constituted in line with the Fostering Regulations. It is headed by an independent chair who ensures that a thorough and objective approach is taken in considering applications from prospective new carers and variations to terms of approval. 

The role of the panel is to consider approvals of new applicants, to receive the first annual reviews of approved foster carers, and any recommendations for termination of approval. In addition, the panel also considers proposed long term matches for specific children and foster carers. Applicants seeking approval to become foster carers are presented to the fostering panel by their assessing social worker. 

The assessment report is always shared with the applicant prior to the panel meeting and applicants are encouraged to comment in writing on the written assessment, indicating any areas of the assessment with which they may disagree. Applicants are always invited to attend panel along with their assessing social worker. 

Southwark believes that having applicants attend panel is an important part of making the whole process as open and transparent as possible. It is acknowledged that attending a fostering panel can be a stressful experience for applicants; the panel chair and panel members will therefore do everything possible to make it a positive and non-threatening experience for the applicants.

Annual reviews of approval 

The fostering placement regulations requires foster carers to be reviewed annually, when the suitability of the carer to continue to foster is considered. Additional reviews can be called at any time if there is a change in circumstances or an issue of concern arises. 

Annual reviews of approval are chaired by an experienced independent chair. Information and views are sought from all children and young people who have been in placement and their social workers, as well as the views of foster carers and their families. Foster carers are helped to prepare for their annual review meeting by their supervising social worker. 

In the case of a carer’s first annual review or when there have been significant changes or concerns, the fostering panel will consider the report that is prepared following the annual review and make recommendations to the Agency Decision Maker. The Fostering service have introduced a 3 yearly return to fostering panel. Whilst not required by fostering regulations this step is seen as contributing to good practice and provides an additional layer of oversight and monitoring.