More Form F Feedback

The questions I hear most from IFAs after Foster Carers have been approved  at panel are ‘how can we retain Foster Carers’ as they move from the practice theory into practice reality, and ‘how can the Form F assessment better prepare Foster Carers for this’? I’ve been completing Form F’s for over three years now, both for Local Authorities and IFA’s. My aim is to always produce a quality assessment whilst educating and preparing PFC’s for their fostering journey, and my professional experience informs me that a quality assessment is still the best avenue for prepared and effective Foster Carers. I revisited some Foster Carers I assessed after they had a child placed, and this was their feedback, printed with permission:

We learnt it is essential to have a good understanding of self and how you may react in different and challenging situations. The resources were varied, interesting and challenging, and helped us understand ourselves and where we come from. Kevin spent a lot of time talking about attachment needs and provided us with written and internet resources to refer to. We are now able to experience them first hand and it has been very helpful in understanding our first placement. Kevin has a lot of experience of working with children and gave us lots of examples in discussions which we are now experiencing and can recognise and remember our discussions.

We feel well prepared by Kevin. He explained everything well, helped us through the panel process and portfolio, was patient, clarified and got to the bottom of things, and overall gave us a good understanding. We are 4 weeks into our first placement which is challenging but we are able to understand and cope, and we feel we are already making a difference.

The assessment was very positive and a true reflection of us. It was detailed and covered all the standards required. Because it had been done thoroughly we had no surprises at panel and were approved. Kevin was a conscientious assessor who was thorough, very helpful and approachable. We felt confident with him. He was easy to contact and always got back to us. He was realistic in timescales for homework! He didn’t over-complicate things and was efficient and very personable. 

– Mrs Kurslake and Mrs Dunford (newly approved foster carers).

Form F Assessment Feedback

Fostering Fortnight ended on May 30th and the theme was ‘Time to Foster, Time to Care’ where it was highlighted every 20 minutes a child needs foster care. That means that since May 30th, 1584 children and young people have entered care and so foster carers are needed more than ever.

Hopefully, if you are an Independent Fostering Agency, you have recruited lots of potential foster carers whom you are now looking to allocate for assessment. I have recently just taken to panel my 19th foster carer to be approved. Mr Liddy, a single applicant, gives his feedback on his experience of the assessment process with me, some of which is printed here with permission…

I know a number of people who felt on the spot during their assessment and have told me it can be quite uncomfortable to talk through your past with another person. However , through the entire process, I did not feel uncomfortable at all. I actually quite enjoyed the process and it was always pleasant having Kevin visit my home. I believe Kevin’s approach, persona, and professionalism really shone through, he was extremely responsive when I needed help and I never felt judged or uncomfortable when I was talking about my family history.

I feel that Kevin allowed me to talk through my own experiences and made key links to how these may be useful during my time when Fostering. He also highlighted several areas that I wasn’t very well informed about and talked through these things with me; he wasn’t afraid to highlight my weaknesses, provide constructive criticisms and work towards broadening my knowledge.

I have had a brilliant time working with him and cannot recommend him enough. Thank you for all your work and the insight that you have brought. I would recommend him without doubt for any other fostering applicant – Mr Liddy (newly approved foster carer).

Contact me to discuss how my assessment experience can support your agency’s prospective foster carers through the assessment process.

 

Foster Carer Reviews

Protected Learning: as an independent social worker I regularly read to update myself on best practice and new emerging evidence. I have recently been reading and referring to the ‘Foster Carer Reviews’ book by Helen Cosis Brown (2015 2nd ed) to ensure best practice in chairing and writing up reviews. An excellent reference book overall but worthy of particular note is the chapter on the recommendations from Serious Case Reviews that have led to the Foster Carer Review being as it is today. A stark and important reminder of why it is that we have so many checks, unannounced visits and the importance of chasing up feedback from children, young people and all the professionals surrounding the child/ren in care. Brown (2015 2nd ed) also references the importance of good quality Supervising Social Workers reports, and the necessity for Reviewing Officers to not only review, but to provide analysis of the information received and content discussed in the review itself.