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Fostering

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Original poster

Going to panel with a negative recommendation

21 replies

ValentineX3 · 06/10/2020 20:25

has anybody gone to panel with a negative recommendation albeit the overall assessment positive. I am due to go to panel soon can anybody please share their experiences?

OP posts:
Gillian1980 · 06/10/2020 23:01

What is the negative recommendation based on? As in, what reason?

I don’t have experience of this but find it quite strange.

Cassimin · 06/10/2020 23:20

I always assumed that the SW who has done the assessment is quite confident that the result will be positive otherwise they would not bring it to panel.
To take someone that far and for them to fail panel would not look very good on the assessor as any problems should have been discussed and thoroughly investigated before moving forward.
My partner had a criminal damage charge on his dbs. This was brought up by the SW and her supervisor rang us to discuss it ( he and his friend were climbing on a bus shelter when they were younger and they fell through it) It was brought up at panel but SW told them it had all been discussed and so it wasn’t a problem.

Original poster
ValentineX3 · 07/10/2020 08:56

Overall the SW gave a positive recommendation though?

The reason is the parent has passed due to mental health issues and they are worried I will not be able to cope with the pressures of challenging behaviour that may be seen in the children because as I am a family member I could potentially suffer from mental health issues... it is based on a what if although everything else has been deemed generally positive

OP posts:
f0stercarer · 07/10/2020 10:22

my understanding is that it is unwise to go to panel with a negative recommendation but rather defer the panel date to explore further assessment to resolve the problem issues positively. Presumably you have had a copy of the sw assessment report and you can always take this to another agency to get their view on it.

Original poster
ValentineX3 · 07/10/2020 11:09

Is this something I can bring up to my assessor? I have tried to discuss some points and she has advised I wait to discuss this at panel, am I able to to just ring up another agency and ask for a second opinion? Thanks for your help

OP posts:
Brainygaga · 07/10/2020 12:55

I am a fostering assessor - i have never taken an applicant with a negative recommendation - it should not get that far - has this information only just come to light? I'm not clear from your last post, is it you with the mental health issues or a family member?

AlreadyGone44 · 07/10/2020 13:02

So the negative recommendation is that you 'might' have a genetic predisposition to depression because the child's parent who died is related to you and they had mental health issues?

Cassimin · 07/10/2020 13:26

I would definitely be discussing it before panel. You will be anxious anyway on the day so to start deep discussions at this stage may not go well.
Ask the assessor to write down all of their concerns so that you can look over them then sit down and really think about what they are saying.
If you are confident that you can overcome all of their concerns, write it down. Then discuss it with them.
Then when you go to panel it will already have been dealt with and you will have all of your answers if they have any questions

Original poster
ValentineX3 · 07/10/2020 13:26

Hi,

Nothing new has come to light, yeah the parent who has passed suffered mental health issues and as I am a close family member they worry I would not be able to cope with challenging behaviour from the kids or under pressure. The family history was known before the assessment had even begun. I have asked my assessor if we could talk through any concerns in greater detail, but have been advised to wait and discuss it at panel

OP posts:
Brainygaga · 07/10/2020 14:20

Really sorry to hear that 💐
That does not sound like a reason to give a recommendation at all. Panel may disagree with the Social Worker their function is to scrutinise, not rubber stamp.

Brainygaga · 07/10/2020 14:21

Sorry that should say 'that doesn't sound like a reason to give a negative recommendation'

Gillian1980 · 21/10/2020 22:20

@ValentineX3 have you been to panel yet? Or had any luck discussing this issue further with your assessor?

Original poster
ValentineX3 · 23/10/2020 08:10

Still n o panel date yet, there are some delays due to Covid I did send off a response to my assessor after speaking with the manager, but have been told it will be discussed at panel

OP posts:
Gillian1980 · 23/10/2020 09:49

If the panel don’t recommend your approval, you can challenge this through the IRM (independent review mechanism). Your assessing agency should have shared all this with you.

Original poster
ValentineX3 · 01/12/2020 13:41

So I thought I’d give an update for anybody who was interested, only half of panel said yes and then the decision maker over ruled it all and I have officially been approved!

OP posts:
f0stercarer · 01/12/2020 15:48

woo hoo congratulations ! Good luck going forward.

TinyVictoriesInSurvival · 02/12/2020 02:41

Congratulations @ValentineX3

CreamFirstThenJamOnTop · 02/12/2020 09:14

Fantastic @ValentineX3 😊

Original poster
ValentineX3 · 02/12/2020 09:19

Thank you all 🥰

OP posts:
Santaisironingwrappingpaper · 02/12/2020 09:37

Good luck on your exciting journey op..

Brainygaga · 02/12/2020 16:09

That’s amazing - well done! Good luck for your new journey 🥰

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