(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.
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.
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. |
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.
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.
5 | Possible outcomes
- Continue approval unchanged.
- Amend terms – e.g., wider/narrower age range, additional training, specialist mentoring.
- 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.
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.
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.
