---
title: Reviews – Foster Carers
description: "*(requirements set by Fostering Services Regulations 2011, Regulation 28)* Every foster-carer approval must be reviewed **at least once every 12 months**. Positive Aspirations schedules the meeting about 11 months after your previous review so unforeseen delays (illness, urgent placement issues)…"
url: "https://handbook.co.uk/docs/reviews-foster-carers/"
updated: "2025-07-13"
category: Foster Carer Handbook
tags:
  - Reviews – Foster Carers
---

# Reviews – Foster Carers

*(requirements set by Fostering Services Regulations 2011, Regulation 28)*

Every foster-carer approval must be reviewed **at least once every 12 months**. Positive Aspirations schedules the meeting about 11 months after your previous review so unforeseen delays (illness, urgent placement issues) do not push you outside the legal window. A first-year review is held just **six months** after your initial approval to check that early support and training are working.

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**1 | What triggers a review sooner than planned?**

- Major household changes – separation, new partner, serious illness, move of home.
- A significant incident or allegation that raises questions about suitability.
- A request by you or your Supervising Social Worker (SSW) when extra scrutiny feels helpful.

Whenever an allegation investigation is under way the scheduled review still goes ahead; paperwork simply notes that findings will return to Panel when the investigation finishes.

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**2 | Who attends and where?**

| **Setting** | **Participants** |
| --- | --- |
| Usually your home | Both carers in a partnership, the Reviewing Officer (chair) and your SSW. |
| Online option | Available for accessibility or infection-control reasons. |

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**3 | Evidence that feeds the review**

| Two months before | **Appraisal of the Year** – your reflections on achievements, challenges, training completed and sparks you helped ignite. |
| As each child leaves | **Placement-end assessment form** – complete while details are fresh. |
| Throughout year | Photos, certificates, Life-Story work, compliments from teachers, case notes. |

Input is also sought from:

- Children placed; birth parents (where appropriate); children’s social workers.
- Professionals such as teachers, health visitors, therapists—discuss choices with your SSW.

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**4 | What the review considers**

- Quality of day-to-day care and safeguarding.
- Partnership working with birth family and professional network.
- Record-keeping and incident reporting.
- Training completed versus Personal Development Plan.
- Household dynamics, health, accommodation, pets.
- Recommendations on approval range, delegated authority and support needs.

Your SSW supplies a **summary report**; the Reviewing Officer adds an overview that Local Authorities may request when placing children.

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**5 | Possible outcomes**

1. **Continue approval unchanged.**
2. **Amend terms** – e.g., wider/narrower age range, additional training, specialist mentoring.
3. **Refer to Panel** – for concerns requiring formal decision (could include deregistration recommendation).

You receive the written decision and any action plan; Local Authorities with children in placement receive a copy.

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**6 | How to shine—and learn**

- **Show evidence:** photos of camping trip, email from SENCO praising progress, your reflective diary on managing a tough behaviour spike.
- **Be honest about struggles:** Panels value carers who identify gaps and ask for support.
- **Link to future training:** “This year I’d like advanced therapeutic-parenting.”
- **Keep dates free:** rescheduling is difficult; note the provisional review date as soon as it is given.

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**Key message:** the annual review is not a test to catch you out but a structured conversation about strengths, learning and next steps—ensuring every approval remains safe, skilled and spark-nurturing for the children we serve.

For full details see **Annual Review of Foster Carer** policy or speak to your SSW.