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Fostering

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Original poster

What to wear for panel ?

13 replies

WereOffToSeeTheWizard · 16/05/2011 17:31

I was thinking to wear jeans and a nice top but am wondering now if that's too casual and I need to dress more for an interview?
What did you wear?

OP posts:

mumsiepie · 16/05/2011 18:26

They will not judge you unfavourably for wearing jeans and a nice top! Good luck xx

Original poster

WereOffToSeeTheWizard · 16/05/2011 19:17

Great thanks, jeans and nice top it is then.

OP posts:

maypole1 · 16/05/2011 19:17

Smart but casual to be honest I dressed how I normally dress.

They want to get a sense of who you are

p99gmb · 16/05/2011 19:49

whatever will make you feel comfortable.... although I did decide against wearing jeans - my husband wore a blazer & me a dress - quite smart really.. we thought of it as a job 'interview' and wanted to show it 'meant' something to us....

like others say though, I don't think they will judge you on your clothes (well, as long as they are clean!!!!)

Good luck

Original poster

WereOffToSeeTheWizard · 16/05/2011 20:22

Mmm yeah I was thinking more along the interview lines and I want them to think I've made an effort and do care.

Think I'll wear and dress and flat boots, I often wear a dress so they'll still get to see the real me!

OP posts:

Original poster

WereOffToSeeTheWizard · 16/05/2011 20:23

a dress not and dress !

OP posts:

NanaNina · 17/05/2011 14:33

Jeans and smart top would be great - you need to feel comfortable and the only time I can remember one time when all of us on the panel were gobsmacked at the woman of the couple wearing a T shirt saying "I'm too sexy for my shirt" !! We couldn't ignore it and panel was adjourned so that the assessing soc workr could talk to the applicant about the inappropriateness of this, not just for panel but for fostered children, many of whom have been sexually abused.

Original poster

WereOffToSeeTheWizard · 17/05/2011 18:10

Wow NanaNina - did they get approved in the end? Can't believe someone would wear that fullstop never mind to panel!
I wore a skirt in the end.!
All went ok but they wanted to get another reference from the time I was a nanny.
The social worker told me I would probably still be approved and then they would get the reference but the panel said they would need to meet again in a month !
A bit disappointed .

OP posts:

mumsiepie · 17/05/2011 19:07

I am sorry for you that this wasn't picked up before today. I am not surprised they want a reference from that period....what I am surprised about is that it wasn't thought relevant to get this anyway! Poor you. Do you have to meet again with the panel or just them?

Original poster

WereOffToSeeTheWizard · 17/05/2011 19:29

I provided about 4 references from the time I was nannying but they were all temporary positions.
For my 2 referees I gave them a friend who has known me 20 years and whose children I have looked after and another friend whose children I have looked after recently.
Thought we had it covered !

OP posts:

NanaNina · 17/05/2011 19:37

So were you once a nanny for a longer period than the temporary ones. Did this position come up in discussion with the social worker. If so, she/he should have applied for a reference from this job. Also the panel advisor should have picked this up and spoken to the panel chair and they should have gone back to the assessing social worker and asked her to obtain the reference. SO it seems there was some inefficiency. Are you applying to a LA or an IFA.

The reason you have to wait a month is because in many LAs fostering panels are only held monthly and there is usually a very full agenda, so they will have fitted your application in for the next panel. Will there be any difficulty with the reference they want. If not, all should be well next time.

Yes the inappropriate T shirt wearer was finally approved. She said she put it on "for a laugh"............hmmm

Original poster

WereOffToSeeTheWizard · 17/05/2011 19:45

Yes the reference they want is when I was nannying in my home town for about 4 years. The other jobs were just a few weeks or months.
It was written down on the form which is where they've picked it up but I can't remember particularly discussing it with my social worker.

They have asked the social worker to get a reference. There won't be a problem I'm confident they'll give me a good reference and yes they said the next panel is a month away which is why the wait. It was just initially the social worker said they would approve me and apply for the ref retrospectively but the panel said different.

I'm just worried that they may be unsure about me and that's why they need another reference although the references they have are excellent.
It's LA.

OP posts:

NanaNina · 20/05/2011 22:33

Panels did used to approve applicants "subject to" whatever was missing, but we stopped doing it because we ran into a bit of trouble with a couple who we did that with, and then the missing reference was worrying, and that caused a lot of problems, as you can imagine.

Don't worry that they are unsure of you. If you were a nanny for 4 years they are definitely going to want a reference. Applicants are asked for references from any job that they did regarding the care of children. The soc wrkr should have picked this up. I'm sure you will be approved at the next panel.

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