The , who advises Foster Panel members on fostering guidance and regulations, fostering policies and practice issues. In the Foster Panel Adviser is not a panel member and does not participate in making recommendations and is not a voting member of the Panel. The Foster Panel Advisor is employed by North Somerset Council and has a number of years experience in Fostering Management. The other four persons are drawn from a central list and have either personal experience of fostering or professional experience in working with children within a social care, health, education or legal setting. How do I arrange to attend the Foster Panel? The Social Worker undertaking your assessment/review will discuss with you whether you wish to attend the Foster Panel. They will ask you to read this booklet and spend time with you explaining in more detail how the Foster Panel operates. If I decide not to attend Panel, will it affect the likelihood of my application being approved? No – consideration of your application is based on the report that your assessing/supervising Social Worker presents to the Foster Panel, alongside to relevant information with regards to training and development, health and other statutory checks, such as an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and your own self-evaluation. You may wish to attend the Foster Panel to emphasise certain aspects of your assessment, and in turn the Panel may want to ask you some questions about your Prospective Foster Carer Assessment. If you have any questions or concerns about your Prospective Foster Carer Assessment, or attending the Foster Panel, please contact the Social Worker undertaking your assessment. What happens at Panel? Your Social Worker will present your assessment/review report to the Foster Panel prior to the Panel meeting, giving Panel members an opportunity to read your report prior to the Panel meeting. At the Foster Panel, members will discuss your report and will formulate questions for your consideration prior to you joining the Panel meeting. Your Social Worker may be called in before you, to present your report.
Alison Forde Social Worker I have been working for North Somerset Council since 1998; initially my role was that of Support Worker, working with children and young people in Foster Care and Care Leavers. My role changed following the implementation of the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 to that of a Leaving Care Personal Advisor. In 2004 I was seconded to undertake the Social Worker Degree at the University West of England and qualified as a Social Worker in 2007. Following my qualification I worked in the Referral and Assessment Team, my role in this team involved working with children in need, child protection and court work. I found this work very interesting and challenging and it gave me great insight into the experiences of children and young people at the initial stages of coming into foster care. I have been working in the Fostering Team since 2011; I supervise/support carers in their role of caring for children and young people who are looked after. I am keen to learn about new theories and working practises to assist myself and carers to improve the outcomes for the children and young people in foster carer. I am involved in the recruitment and retention of carers and very much enjoy being part of this team. Louise Lynch Social Worker