Independent Review Mechanism (IRM)
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- Author:IRM England
- Published:(N.D.)
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Country:
What is the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM)?
What we do
We provide independent panels that review the suitability to adopt or foster and other decisions made by adoption and fostering providers.
IRM works with the Department for Education.
The IRM is a review process that prospective or existing foster carers can access when they do not agree with the qualifying determination letter sent to them by their Fostering Service Provider Agency Decision Maker (ADM). The review process is conducted by an IRM review panel that is independent of your fostering service provider.
A “Qualifying Determination” is a proposed decision made by a fostering service provider that it does not consider someone suitable to foster. A qualifying determination is issued after either a brief or full report has been presented to the fostering service providers Panel. A qualifying determination can also be issued if the fostering service provider proposes to terminate or change the terms of approval, of an existing fostering carer.
Who can apply to have their case reviewed?
Prospective or existing fostering carers who have received a qualifying determination from their fostering service provider; including cases involving a specific child who is known to the applicants.
The review process does not have the power to deal with complaints against the fostering service provider. Complaints should be dealt with through the fostering service provider’s own complaints procedure.
Latest from the Independent Review Mechanism
- Independent Review Mechanism: annual reports (Corporate report last updated Jan 2022)
- Prepare for a review panel: adopters and foster carers
- Prepare for a review panel: adoption agencies and fostering service providers
Contact IRM
Independent Review Mechanism
The Contract Manager
Unit 4
Pavilion Business Park
Royds Hall Road
Wortley
Leeds
LS12 6AJ
United Kingdom
Email [email protected]
Telephone 0845 450 3956 (charged at local rate) or 0113 2022080 (Please confirm on the IRM website for any changes to charges)
Phone lines are open between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm, Monday to Friday. Where possible, consider contacting the IRM by email.
Information, Help and Support
Help and support created for foster carers, by foster carers, we are the experts by experience. We have the first foster carers knowledge bank.
Please find our help and support page here.
Access both the open pages and members area. Both are free to access and footprint-free. The member’s area gives you privileged confidential access to FosterWiki’s experts by experience for advice and guidance. You will also find short courses and guides from the foster carer’s perspective, top tips, allegation help, templates, and the ability to add to FosterWiki. With more content being uploaded regularly.
Please let us know what information or advice pages you would find useful and we will put them in place. https://fosterwiki.com/register/
