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Permanence Panels

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Suffolk Adoption Agency has two Permanence Panels with the same independent chair, Sue Allen, each meeting 4-weekly at Endeavour House, Ipswich.


The Panels make three main recommendations as required in Government regulations (PDF, 474Kb):

  • whether adoption is in the best interests of a particular child;
  • whether applicants are suitable as adopters;
  • whether a child's needs will be met by being placed with particular adopters.

Soon, it is proposed that the Panels will make similar recommendations about children needing long term or "permanent" fostering.

 

The current members of the Panels are listed here. (PDF, 14Kb)

Permanence Panel procedures (PDF, 274Kb) set out the scope of the Panels, roles and responsibilities and how the panel is appointed and managed. Each new member has an induction seminar based upon this powerpoint presentation of the basics of panel work.

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Sue Allen - Permanence Panel Chair

Panel members are asked to sign a Protocol (PDF, 18Kb) setting out mutual expectations. Panel members' checklists (PDF, 58Kb) and notes (PDF, 23Kb) are provided to help them focus on the key issues.

Chair's checklist's (PDF, 41Kb) are to help the chair to be sure that all important issues have been discussed. Visitors to panel are invited to complete a feedback form (PDF, 14Kb) which will inform future practice.

Applicants to be adopters or long term foster carers are invited to attend the panel meeting considering their approval. This leaflet sets out how they are involved. (PDF, 287Kb)


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One of Suffolk's Permanence
Panel's in discussion

For professional development (especially social workers new to the panel process), the panel welcomes observers with the permission of adoptive applicants, young people or birth parents if they are attending. We usually only welcome one observer per panel and require people to sign this observer's agreement (PDF, 19Kb). The professional adviser will usually be able to spend some time with the observer to reflect on the experience and answer questions.

To booka visit to the panel:
Email: john.clifton@socserv.suffolkcc.gov.uk

Adoption