The Fostering Panel comprises people who bring in a wide range of experience, expertise, and knowledge in Fostering. Many of them hold several years of fostering experience either through being foster carers themselves or being fostered for many years in the past.
Having such an experience enables the panelist to have a sound understanding of the fostering process based on which they judge who is eligible to become foster carers and who is not.
Besides skills in fostering, the panelist also has access to medical and legal advice, if needed in certain special circumstances.

Role of Fostering Panelists
A fostering panel is delegated with the following duties:-
• Considering fostering applications and making recommendations on the suitability of applicants. It also includes recommendations on the number, age group, and background of the child to be placed under the foster carer.
• To review existing foster carer and their suitability to continue.
• To ensure the functioning standards of fostering agency (Nationwide Fostering)
• To consider any complaint or allegation against any foster carer (if any)

What happens at the Fostering Panel?
Fostering Panel is the final stage of the assessment process. It requires the applicant to appear before the panel along with the assessing social worker. Usually, you would be asked to wait outside unless being called upon. During that time, your social supervisor would present your application along with his/her assessment.

The fostering panel then calls you inside and asks you questions pertaining to the assessment they had received from your assessing social worker. It is also the time when you might put forth any questions or queries you have before them.

Once done, you’ll be asked to leave the room while the panels make their recommendations. If they are satisfied, they would call you to inform their final decision or ask for any further information (if they deem it necessary). The decisions would range from

1. Approval as Foster Carer
2. Rejection of Application
3. Deferral of Application for the time being unless they receive any additional information they deem fit to demand.
How long does the application take?
Usually, it takes around three months for the assessment process to be complete. However, depending on the duration of checks and references made, it can sometimes take longer than that.