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CoramBAAF Member Survey on DfE Fostering Reforms Consultation

Please share your views to inform CoramBAAF’s response to the DfE consultation on proposed changes to the foster carer assessment and approval process and the handling of allegations of abuse.
The government has published its Fostering Action Plan, alongside a public consultation and a Call for Evidence. The consultation focuses on changes to the assessment and approval process and the handling of allegations of abuse and standards of care concerns in foster care.

As a membership organisation, CoramBAAF will be submitting a comprehensive response to this consultation on behalf of our members. To ensure that response reflects your experiences and perspectives, we are asking all members to share their views through the short survey below.

We encourage you to read the full consultation document on the DfE Consultation Hub before responding to this survey. You can also find out more in our briefing note: Fostering reforms, England 2026: what your service needs to know

Closing date - our survey will close at midday on Monday 9th March 2026.

You are of course welcome to submit your own response to the government separately, but your input to CoramBAAF’s collective submission is vital in helping us represent the sector accurately and effectively.

We will also make a submission to the Call for Evidence, and encourage you to attend our forthcoming meetings and events to inform our response.

What will we do with the information?
We do not intend to produce a report on the responses we receive, but will use them to identify themes, messages and suggestions to inform our response to the Government's consultation. This survey does not request any personal data, but we may use selected non-identifying quotes in our consultation response. We process all data in accordance with current Data Protection legislation in the UK, and you can find out more about how we process and protect your data in the Privacy Notice on our website.
About you
1.Which of the following best describes your role? (Select all that apply)(Required.)
2.Which type of organisation do you work for? (Select all that apply)(Required.)
Proposal 1: Amending the role of fostering panels and strengthening quality assurance standards within the assessment process
The government's proposals include:
  • Removing the requirement for fostering panels to make recommendations about initial approval and first review of approval for foster carers.
  • Removing the requirement for panels to oversee the conduct of assessments carried out by the fostering service provider
See details of these proposals on pages 7-12 of the DfE consultation document.
3.Do you agree with the Government's proposal to remove fostering panels from the assessment and approval process? (Select one)(Required.)
4.How much do you agree that the following could be positive impacts/outcomes of removing panels from the assessment and approval process?(Required.)
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
Potential for time and cost savings
Removing duplication of quality assurance
Creating a less daunting process for some applicants
Removing a fostering regulatory process for kinship carers
Streamlined accountability
5.How much do you agree that the following could be negative impacts/outcomes of removing panels from the assessment and approval process?(Required.)
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
Loss of independent perspective of panel members
Quality assurance reduced
Lived experience removed
Safeguarding role reduced
Scrutiny role reduced
Loss of opportunity to identify support needs of foster carers
Loss of opportunity to identify support needs of kinship carers
Reliance on one person/role (ADM) for approvals
6.Please share any suggestions you might have about how an alternative or amended process could work if panels were no longer involved in the foster carer assessment and approval process.
Proposal 2: Improving the handling of allegations and standards of care concerns
The DfE proposes to update National Minimum Standards and Guidance with a new section on the handling of allegations and standards of care concerns. The proposals include:
  • Setting out clear distinctions between allegations and standards of care concerns
  • Providing support for children and carers who are experiencing an allegation
  • Making the allegations process fairer and more transparent

See details of these proposals on pages 13-20 of the DfE consultation document.
7.Do you agree with the government's proposed changes to the allegations process? (Select one)(Required.)
8.If you have any thoughts or comments about the proposed changes to the allegations process proposals, please feel free to share them here.
Additional comments
9.Is there anything else you would like to share to inform CoramBAAF’s consultation response?
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your thoughts on this matter.