Fostering panels must remain a core part of a reformed and improved fostering process.
Today, we have joined with a number of leading children’s and foster care charities to write to Josh MacAlister MP, Minister for Children and Families, to make that case clearly.
We are very concerned that the proposals to remove panels for the approval of foster carers would take away an important process that safeguards children so that they be cared for safely in another adult’s home. Panels provide a critical safeguard, independent scrutiny, and an important layer of quality assurance in foster carer approval which protects children. They help strengthen quality, consistency and accountability of the foster carer approval process in a way that should not be lost through the reforms.
We also heard consistently from across the sector that people with lived experience must continue to play an integral role in approval of foster carers and services more widely.
We are grateful for the support and input of our members and organisations across the sector, including:
CoramBAAF, Foster Talk, NSPCC, NYAS, Coram Voice, Action for Children, Barnardo’s, Article39.
You can read our blog on our full response to the consultation and call for evidence here.