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Foster PanelIntroductionAs a prospective Foster Carer, your assessor has compiled all the information gathered during your assessment into a report. This report will be presented to the North Somerset Foster Panel. Our Foster Panel will also consider Review reports of already approved carers. We understand you may be both apprehensive and excited and with this booklet we hope to help you understand how the Foster Panel operates, what happens after Panel and to explain your choices within the approval/review process.

What is a Foster Panel?

A Foster Panel is a local meeting where North Somerset staff and some independent members will discuss your assessment and will make a recommendation to the Agency Decision-maker (ADM) with regards to your approval as a North Somerset carer, type of fostering and the terms of approvals. When you are approved, the Foster panel also considers your Review and makes a recommendation on your suitability to continue as North Somerset carer and with regards to any proposed change in your approval.

What does legislation require?The Fostering Services Regulations (2011) set the first criteria for the establishment of Foster Panels (Regulation 24) to consider and make recommendations relating to applications from prospective foster carers. The Fostering Services Regulations (2011) provide the regulatory framework for the establishment and functioning of the foster panels. The National Minimum Standards (NMS) for Fostering Services (2011) cover in more detail the operation of Foster Panels.‘The Fostering Panel makes timely, quality and appropriate recommendations in line with the overriding objective to promote the welfare of children in foster care’ (Standard14)

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The obligation to invite prospective and approved carers to attend the Foster panel meeting that considers their approval and/or suitability to continue as North Somerset carers is also set in the National Minimum Standard 14, alongside the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 4: Fostering ServicesStatutory Fostering Guidance makes clear that should you decline the invitation, this in itself should never be considered as a reason for recommending that you are unsuitable to become carers.

What is the purpose of prospective carers attending Foster Panel?By attending Foster Panel, you, as a prospective carer (or approved carer under Review), have the opportunity to meet with Foster Panel members, speak directly to them and, if you wish, to make comments or ask questions. It will also give the opportunity to Panel members to clarify information directly with you, ask you relevant questions to help them to understand your motivation to foster or to discuss any other relevant matters raised in the report presented to Panel about you. The Panel members may ask questions to expand on points raised in your Assessment Report.

Who is on the Foster Panel?

An independent chairperson, who is not employed by North Somerset Children’s Services, chairs the Foster Panel. The Chairperson has sufficient skills, fostering knowledge and experience to lead competent discussions when considering your assessment/review and will make recommendations to the Agency Decision-maker. Some of the members have a social work background in child care; others may have a personal experience of fostering.The Foster Panel consists of at least five people and in any case will not exceed 10 people, including the Chairperson and:A Vice chair, appointed alongside other panel members, who acts as a Chairperson in the chair’s absence. The guidelines for the Vice-chair are not set out in the regulations, but it is advisable that they meet the same requirements as the chairperson.

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One or two Social Workers employed by North Somerset Council, one with expertise in childcare, and one within fostering. One elected member (a Local Council Representative)The Foster Panel Adviser, who advises Foster Panel members on fostering guidance and regulations, fostering policies and practice issues. In North Somerset 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?

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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. When you join your Social Worker at the Panel, the members will introduce themselves and will ask questions as directed by the Chair. Your Social Worker can assist you. Then you will be asked to leave the Panel whilst it reaches a recommendation. The Chairperson, alongside the Vice-chair or the Foster Panel Adviser, will join you and will inform you of the Panel’s recommendation and of when the Agency Decision will be made.A record of your attendance will be formally recorded in the minutes of the Foster Panel meeting. This record, alongside the Foster Panel’s recommendation, is presented to the Agency Decision-maker (ADM) who makes a decision on your approval/continuity as a carer. The ADM for fostering matters is the North Somerset Council’s Assistant Director of Support and Safeguarding, Eifion Price.The ADM will reach a decision within seven working days of receiving the Panel’s recommendations and final set of minutes.

Your views matterFeedback on the experience of attending the Foster Panel enables Panel members to evaluate their process and performance and make any agreed changes to develop their practice. Please take the time to complete and return the feedback questionnaire as the Foster Panel wishes to hear your views and it is important that we learn and improve from the feedback the Panel receives.

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Rita RoblinIndependent Chairperson

I am married, with three children and six grandchildren. I spent most of my early working life in a Sales and Marketing environment for both the Civil Service and a National Company.

A television programme showing the plight of children in Romanian orphanages provided the impetus to become a Foster Carer, which I have done over 23 years for Bristol City Council. Currently, I am registered for 3 placements 10-18 years for long term, short term and respite care. During this time in fostering, I have helped in the training of Foster Carers, became a PA for the After Care Service and a committee member of the local Foster Carers Association providing support to Carers who have allegations made against them. I am also, currently, Vice Chair of the Foster Panel for another Local Authority.

I also qualified as an A1 NVQ Assessor in Childcare Learning and Development and Health and Social Care, Children and Young People.

Having never lost sight of the needs of children overseas, I became a trustee of CORF (Children’s Overseas Relief Fund) which supported youngsters in Bulgarian orphanages.

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I am a church member and co-lead a youth Drama Group.

Bob SommersIndependent Vice-Chair

I started work in the Production and Sales departments of a manufacturing company in Liverpool before training in Bristol to be a Science teacher. Since then I have taught in Africa and in a number of Secondary schools in the Bristol area.

I was head teacher of Gordano School, Portishead from1991 until 2003. It has some 1800 students aged eleven to eighteen. Since then I have worked with a variety of schools and young people in the South West.

I came onto the North Somerset Foster Panel in 2009.

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Rosa Baiges

Foster Panel Advisor

I qualified as Social Worker in 1986 in Barcelona (Spain) and worked for eight years in Barcelona. I have worked within Children’s Services in the UK since 1999. My experience of working in a fostering service goes back to 2001 and since then I have gained experience in all aspects of fostering, managing different fostering teams since 2003.

After several years living in London, as a family we moved to Bristol in 2010. Since then until my current post, I managed different aspects of the fostering service in North Somerset.

I am passionate about providing high quality foster placements to children looked after to help them to form secure attachments, develop a sense of self and to form positive relationships in adult life.

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Sheila Harding Health Advisor

I began my nursing career in January 1977 as a student nurse at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, Middlesex.On qualifying in October 1981, I moved to Southampton to get married to Chris and for a short while I worked in the intensive care therapy unit at Southampton Hospital and then in the outpatient unit at the Princess Anne Maternity and Gynaecological Hospital before giving up nursing for a few years to become a mum to first Claire then David. As a family we had the opportunity to move to Weston-super-Mare in December 1986 and soon after I began working for a nursing agency doing the rounds of the local nursing homes and had the opportunity of working night duty at Burnham-on Sea Cottage Hospital. After a year at Burnham I was successful in securing a School Nurse post in Weston-super-Mare and for the next 20 years I enjoyed the challenge and privilege of working with children and young people across the North Somerset area. On returning from University I began to develop health services for children and young people looked after and I am now part of the multi - agency team at the Resource Service, my role is to provide health services and support to all children looked after and care leavers, foster carers and social care staff and as part of that role I also attend the foster panel and review the health reports of prospective foster carers. On a personal note I have been happily married to Chris for 30 years and we have two wonderful children and three grandchildren.

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I am the Health Advisor to the North Somerset Foster Panel, a role I have enjoyed doing since 2009. I also offer training, support and advice to foster carers, social workers and other professionals who work with children in care and care leavers.

Hayley WalkerIndependent Member and Foster Carer

I am married with two children and two grandsons. I have been a Kinship carer since 2000 and this lead me to becoming a mainstream Fostering Plus foster carer in 2003 to date, currently looking after three children.

I have completed an NVQ Level 3 in children and young peoples social care as well as various courses in my role as a foster carer i.e. Webster-Stratton, sexualised behaviour, dance like a butterfly sting like a bee, preparing children for adoption and first aid.

I am secretary for Avon foster carers and also represent carers at department and councillors meeting.

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Sarah StaceyIndependent Member and Foster Carer

I am foster carer for Somerset council. I live in Burnham-on -sea with my husband and four teenage children. We have been fostering for six years. Our registration is for 0 – 11years for emergency, respite and short term and this has ranged from a few hours to two and half years. I recently completed an NVQ Level 3.

Before I started fostering I was football coaching in a local club and at a local school. I ran a boy’s youth team for nine years and helped develop girls football in our area. Now I’m more of a soccer mom.

At our house there are usually two children placed with us. We all love fostering and feel that it’s not a job. We look at it as a lifestyle choice in which we all contribute and we learn a lot from it. It’s great to see children having new experiences whether it is birthdays and Christmas, a trip to the zoo or just taking the dog for a walk on the beach. I also encourage our foster children to take part in new clubs or hobbies. Over the years we've encouraged swimming, dance, cricket, football, rugby, rainbows, beavers, boxing and more recently

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street dance. Ours is a busy household but feel that the children get a lot out of it and see it as what life should be like.

Lynda MorrisIndependent Member

I retired as a college lecturer in August 2013. I am married with an adopted adult daughter; a grandson aged six years and an adult stepson.

I am a registered General Nurse, and was a Sister in the oncology unit at Bristol Royal Infirmary.

I then trained as a Health Visitor, and worked in Bedminster and St. Paul’s, both in Bristol.

For the last 28 years I have worked in Further Education lecturing and co-ordinating the CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education.

I am open minded, a good listener and respect the expertise of other professionals.

I have a depth of knowledge of child development, caring for children, their emotional needs and safeguarding children. I feel passionately about helping to ensure children’s needs are met.

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As well as sitting on the Foster Panel I am currently a volunteer at the Central Locality North Somerset Children’s Centres, help run a local Mother and Toddler group, and exam invigilator at the local secondary school.

Chris RolfeIndependent Member

I have recently retired from working in a Family Proceedings Court. I live in Portishead with my wife Julia. I have two adult children, and one year old grandson called Zachary.I have lived in the North Somerset area most of my life apart from a brief period in East Anglia in a job related move. We lived in St Neots, a beautiful market town with the river Ouse running through it.My working career started at the Bristol Aeroplane Company as an apprentice toolmaker gradually moving up through the management structure to my final role as a Manufacturing System Controller (design and implementation of manufacturing and test systems) with the now named BAE Systems, an interesting and varied career.In 2000 I became a Justice of the Peace, a role I felt extremely privileged to be selected to carry out, firstly in the Magistrates Court in Weston-super-Mare and then in the new court building at Worle.Initially all of my sittings were in the Criminal Court but in 2003 I specialised Family Proceedings Court, a role I very much enjoyed because of the positive approach to resolving complex and emotive family related issues. Through the Family Proceedings Court I have gained great understanding of what are the issues that children faced and what are their needs.

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Although I no longer work I have a very active retirement especially since the arrival of my grandson. In my spare time I fish and my wife and I enjoy exploring National Trust sites and local towns and villages which whilst I was working would pass through without having time to stop and have a really good look around.

Jim TaylorIndependent Member

I live with my wife in the Worle area of Weston-super-Mare, and we have three children whose ages range from 17-25 years.

I come from a Social Work background with 19 years post qualifying experience in Bristol initially in the fields of Children in Need and their families and Child Protection and over the last 12 years working within a specialist Social Work team in Bristol with Children in long term care in long term foster homes and specialist residential provision within and outside of the Bristol area.

I feel one of my strengths has been to build good working relationships and support systems in partnership with Foster Carers and professionals from a range of agencies within Education, Health, family placement, police, youth offending etc. through meetings and effectives systems of communication in order to plan, assess and review support offered to the children and their carers to ensure stability of Foster Placement through identified services to meet the child’s often complex needs.

I have also been a strong advocate in terms of promoting educational opportunities for young people who have started off in disadvantaged home settings.

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I have personal family experiences of physical disability and special needs and therefore have a good understanding of disability issues accessing services and support and pressures this can place on families.

Stephanie Gavin-BrownIndependent Member

I am a qualified Social Worker with 9 years post-qualifying experience in child protection.

I spent the first 5 years of my Social Work career in a long-term community team, working with children at risk of significant harm and long term looked after children. This role involved a high level of care proceedings and frequent assessments of friends and family as potential foster carers or Special Guardians.

For the past 4 years I have managed a very busy duty and assessment Team. This has involved being responsible for decision making in relation to 1000 new referrals per month and in relation to the 300 children allocated within the team.

I am passionate about ensuring that all children looked after are provided with high quality foster care and are given equal opportunities in life.

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Alison FordeSocial 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.

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Louise LynchSocial Worker

I am a white British woman and a registered social worker. I began my social work career working in a small group home for children aged 10-16 years in a rural part of Aberdeenshire. I then worked in community based teams offering services to children and families in Aberdeen and then Stoke-on-Trent. Following a reorganisation I found myself working in an Investigation and assessment team in Stafford where I spent five years doing initial assessments and joint investigations with the police.

As a family we moved to North Somerset in 2001. I worked briefly with a Children and Family Team in Nailsea and then joined the Open University as a tutor on the social work course and taught on the Early Years courses at Weston College. Alongside this I supported social work students on placement and mentored social workers.

Over the past six years I have worked with the training teams in North Somerset Council, latterly with a focus on supporting integrated working and arranging specific training for the social care teams.

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Ness KennedySocial Worker

I am a qualified social worker and have been working for North Somerset since 2008. I began working in the Referral and Assessment Team but moved to a Child Protection team known as a Community Family Team in April 2012.

I have been working as a Consultant Social Worker since November 2013.

My role in this post involves child in need and child protection work with children and families, assessing and planning to meet their needs, court work, adoption work and multi agency working. In addition to this I also mentor Newly Qualified Social Workers within the team, offer support and advice to team members and support staff at court.

I have been working with children and families since August 1983. I am a qualified Nursery Nurse and also a Family Therapist specialising in Solution Focussed Therapy.

In April 2010 I was seconded to Housing and worked alongside a Young Persons Housing Support Advisor assessing young people who were deemed as being homeless.

I have been married to John for two and a half years. When I am not at work I enjoy cooking, reading and decorating.

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Natasha NewtonSocial Worker

I am a qualified social worker. I have been working in North Somerset since July 2009 in a Child Protection case holding team, now known as a Community Family team. I have been working as a Consultant Social Worker through a secondment opportunity since 1st November 2012. My current post involves child in need and child protection work with children and families, assessing and planning to meet needs, mentoring NQSWs within the team, court work, adoption work and multi agency working.

I have been working as a Consultant Social Worker through a secondment opportunity since 1st November 2012. Through this I have experience of mentoring NQSWs, offering support and advice to team members, supporting staff at court and chairing meetings when managers are not available.

I have experience of working on a multi-agency project the “jetavator/aka task force” from October 2010 to July 2011, which has been used as a bases for North Somerset’s commitment to “Total Family”. I have been involved with multi agency working and have developed positive working relationships across agencies, especially in the south of Weston Super Mare. The primary aim of the project was to reduce and prevent the young people from entering the care system.

I have supported staff at court and the court process.

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Things I enjoy doing in my personal life are rowing, knitting and reading.

Cllr Anne KempIndependent Member and Local Council Representative

I am married with three children and two grandchildren.

I have been a Councillor in North Somerset for 8 years.

My other responsibilities include being the Chairman of Adult Social Services & Housing Scrutiny panel, a member of the Children & Young Persons Scrutiny panel, a member of Children's Champions Committee and the Chair of Older Peoples Champions Group.

I sit on the Learning Disability Partnership Board and Adults Safeguarding Board also on the Board of Alliance homes.

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Decision-making ProcessTaking into consideration the Foster Panel’s recommendation, the Agency Decision-maker will make a decision with regards to your approval or suitability as a North Somerset carer.If the ADM proposes to approve your assessment or renewal, you will be sent an approval letter.If the ADM proposes not to approve the applicants (whether or not this accords with the Panel’s recommendation) the Agency Decision-maker will notify you in writing, giving reasons. This is called a ‘qualifying determination’. The letter will include information on the recommendation made by the Foster Panel. If you are in disagreement with the decision made regarding your approval or fostering terms, you will have 28 working days in which decide what to do next. You can:

Accept the proposed decision Make representations to the Decision-maker Apply to the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM)

http://www.independentreviewmechanism.org.uk/contactus

Compliments, suggestions and complaintsCompliments, suggestions and complaints can be made via the Foster Panel Adviser or the North Somerset Council Website.

Foster Panel Adviser:Rosa Baiges, 01275 884160

http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/Your_Council/ Communication_and_Information/Pages/compliments,suggestions-and-complaints-FAQ.aspx

OfstedOfsted is the organisation responsible for registering Fostering Agencies and for inspecting Fostering Services every three years.Contact details:

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Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk/children-and-families-servicesEmail: enquiries@ofsted.gov.ukTelephone: general helpline 0300 123 1231

North Somerset Council 01275 888888

Town Hall, Walliscote Grove Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1UJ

www.n-somerset.gov.uk

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