Fostering Excellence: Beacon Fostering Panels in 2025
Beacon Fostering held our most recent panel on 23rd June 2025, and we’re really pleased to report it was a resounding positive success – thanks to the expertise and dedication of our panel chair and the entire team. This is also due to the commitment and attendance from the potential foster carers that attended panel.
- What Is a Fostering Panel – and Why It Matters
Fostering panels are multi-disciplinary bodies that provide critical quality assurance, ensuring foster carers are supported, skilled, and suitable. While panels don’t make final decisions, their recommendations guide the Agency Decision Maker.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Reviewing new applications to recommend approval and set placement terms
- Assessing first annual and subsequent reviews of foster carers
- Providing guidance on safeguarding practices and policy compliance
As in other UK fostering agencies, Beacon Fostering’s panel includes a chair, social workers, independent members, and experts with direct fostering or care experience
- Meet the Panel Chair: John Terry
Our panel benefits enormously from the leadership of John Terry, a seasoned licensed social worker with over 30 years in child safeguarding, multi-agency collaboration, and service management.
John’s credentials include:
- Expertise in auditing, quality assurance, and safeguarding training
- A commitment to maintaining best practice delivery at every panel
- Guidance of each panel meeting with clarity, compassion, and rigour
His guidance and knowledge will ensure that Beacon Fostering panels remain a nurturing, supportive environment while upholding the highest standards.
- The 23rd June 2025 Panel: Highlights & Outcomes
Key achievements from our most recent panel:
– Newly approved carers:
Several applications were approved with carefully defined approval terms regarding age range and placement numbers, based on strong assessment reports.
– Safeguarding and Resource Updates:
John Terry led a review of our safeguarding guidance and strategies for matching therapeutic needs – ensuring consistency and innovation remain at the heart of our practice.
- How Beacon Panels Support Foster Carers
The panel process at Beacon Fostering is built around four core pillars:
- Preparation & Transparency
Carers receive detailed documentation and introductions ahead of time, reducing stress and fostering engagement.
- Inclusive Participation
Carers and social workers are welcomed to present their perspectives, while the panel advises and listens collaboratively.
- Standards-based Recommendations
Under the panel chair’s leadership and wider panel experience, panels deliver clear advice on approval terms and guidance for future growth.
- Ongoing Oversight
Regular reviews ensure carers remain supported, motivated, and aligned with evolving best practices.
- What to Expect in 2025 and Beyond
Beacon Fostering is committed to:
- Quarterly meetings to maintain momentum
- Enhancing panels with feedback from carers, ensuring a responsive and evolving process
- Increasing representation from therapeutic, educational, and care-experienced professionals
- Developing training resources based directly on panel insights – so carers are always growing alongside our standards
Final Thoughts
The success of our 23rd June 2025 panel demonstrates Beacon Fostering’s unwavering commitment to fostering excellence. Our panels aren’t just administrative hurdles – they’re vital forums for ensuring foster carers receive the recognition, guidance, and support they deserve.
If you’re considering fostering, transferring to Beacon, or preparing for an upcoming panel, rest assured: you’ll be welcomed by a team dedicated to your growth and the wellbeing of the young people you support.
Are you interested in beginning your fostering journey? Sign-up to foster with Beacon today!