The Carmarthenshire County Council invites applicants and foster carers to attend the Fostering Panel to observe and contribute to the discussion of their fostering application or annual review.

This is because we want to make sure that the process is open and inclusive and that the panel has all the information they need about you and your family to make a recommendation about your approval.

You may wish to address the Panel yourself and/or the Panel may have some questions for you to help them clarify the information they already have.

Your social worker will present your application and will be with you throughout to support you. We expect all applicants to attend Panel.

Before coming to Panel, your assessing social worker and/or their manager will talk to you about what to expect and answer any questions you may have.

You will receive written information about the Panel members and why they qualify to sit on the Panel. For instance, they may have expertise with regard to children’s health or education or have first-hand experience of being in public care in the past.