Insight into the Panel, with Panel Chair John Taylor

As part of your journey to becoming a foster carer, there are a few steps within the application process. Our team at Olive Branch are here to guide and support you through every step of the process.

One of the final stages in this process is known as ‘Panel’. By this point, you have almost achieved your goal of becoming an approved foster carer ahead of meeting with the Foster Panel.

The outcome of the Panel is a recommendation, that then goes towards a final decision made by the Agency Decision Maker. The Agency Decision Maker will make the determination of whether you are approved as an Olive Branch foster carer.

To find out more about this stage, and what the Panel encompasses, we spoke to Chair of the Olive Branch Fostering Panel, John Taylor…

Tell us about yourself.

I qualified as a Therapeutic Counsellor 25 years ago, working with children in schools, before going on to become a Social Worker with the NSPCC. I then worked in various roles, from a Supervising Social Worker, supporting foster families, to a Regional Manager for a fostering agency. Along this journey, I have been on different Panels, but I have been on the Olive Branch Fostering Panel for about 18 months now. I started as Vice Chair, and now I Chair the Panel. This role means ensuring the process is robust and that everyone on the Panel is confident in their recommendation.

Who is on the Panel?                                                                               

The Panel is made up of members who bring a broad range of knowledge and skills. The people on the Panel have relevant experience in fields like education, health, and there are also qualified social workers. The Panel can be different for each application, but it’s made up of a core list of people who can be asked on a rota basis. Two of our Panel members went through fostering themselves as children, and some are foster carers. There are five people on the Panel at any one time.

What does the Panel process involve?

The Panel is the end stage of the application process, and it’s a rigorous assessment. The Panel process is all about helping people to understand what the challenges of fostering are and what the rewards are but also to make sure this is something they really want to commit to. A whole range of different checks are completed before the Panel, and this information goes to each individual Panel member before the interview.

Each independent Panel member then identifies a list of strengths that will make the applicant a suitable foster carer. They also make a list of questions about things they’re curious about. For instance, they might ask more about the financial assessment or about their childhood experiences. We also like to ask how the applicant has found the process.

The interview itself usually takes up to an hour. As the Chair, I tend to speak with the applicants outside first, to give them an idea of what to expect and put them at ease.

Applicants will be advised of the Panel’s recommendation on the day of Panel, and then this decision goes to the Agency Decision Maker for them to consider the Panel’s recommendations and confirm the recommendation if they agree. This part can take between five and seven days.

Why is the Panel process so important?

The Panel process is critical as it allows us to see the applicant face to face and get to know them more. The vast majority of people who care for children do it in a nurturing, loving way, but there have been instances of abuse, which is why it has to be so robust.

Do you have any tips for the Panel interview?

Be yourself. Answer honestly, even if you’re not sure how it might go down. Try to relax and remember that we want to meet the real you.

Where is the Panel interview usually held?

The Panel interview is held at Olive Branch.  We chat with the social worker first, then we invite the applicant in to have a chat around a table together.

What makes you want to be on the Panel?

Being part of the process means a lot to me, which is why I have done this job for so long. It’s amazing to see a child be able to reach their potential because of the family looking after them.

Do any stories stand out to you?

You never know what will work for a family, so it’s important to be open-minded. One example of this is an applicant who’d worked in banking her whole life. Two weeks after she was approved by the Panel, she had an emergency placement for a pair of unaccompanied asylum-seeking teen boys, who’d been left on the motorway. Thinking it would originally be just for the weekend, she said yes. Four years later, she had done so much for the two boys, from getting them into school to helping them with their English. Much to our surprise, she then went on to become a specialist in caring for unaccompanied children.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I said I was going to retire 18 months ago, but I really enjoy being on the Panel. I live in the Lake District with my wife and two Spaniels. My three adult children are back for frequent visits, so we are walking with the dogs a lot.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about fostering?

Explore fostering. Find out everything you can, go in with an open mind, and be realistic about what you think you can do. Fostering has to work for you as a family.

Any final words?

I have huge admiration for foster carers because they do an absolutely critical job in making a difference for children and young people. It’s challenging and rewarding but absolutely essential. They make a huge difference.

If you’d like to chat with our team about the fostering application process, then we’d love to hear from you. Call our Fostering Advisor on 01706 558910 or you can schedule a call or complete an enquiry form here.