We have our training in March. The house is ready—bunk beds built, desks assembled, the “letter from the council” pinned to the wall. But before we face the formal Fostering Panel, we are preparing for the most intimidating and important assessment of all:
We are being interviewed by care-experienced children.
In the social care sector, we talk a lot about “child-centered practice.” But there is a massive difference between talking about children and letting them lead the conversation.
Here is why this step isn’t just a “nice to have”—it is a fundamental necessity for modern fostering, and why I, as a care-experienced adult, welcome it.
Table Of Contents
What is a Young Person’s Interview Panel?
A Young Person’s Panel (or interview) is a stage in the foster carer assessment process where care-experienced young people interview prospective carers. Unlike the adult panel, which focuses on legislation, safety, and finance, the young person’s panel focuses on:
- Emotional safety: “Do I feel safe with you?”
- Relatability: “Can I talk to you?”
- Authenticity: “Are you doing this for the right reasons?”
Why the “Adult Metrics” Aren’t Enough
As I wrote in Track 14: The House We Built (from my album The House That Trauma Built), the physical preparation is only half the battle.
“My hands were shaking slightly as I tried to fix the frame / A different kind of tremor, a different kind of aim…”
I can build a wardrobe. I can pass a DBS check. I can renovate a room to high standards (as you might have seen on my LinkedIn). But none of that proves I can handle the trauma, the silence, or the anger of a child who has been let down.
Social workers look for competency. Children look for connection.
When I was in the system, I didn’t care if my carers had a PhD in psychology. I cared if they looked me in the eye when I spoke. I cared if they fought for me—like Carol and John Thompson did. Children have a radar for inauthenticity that no adult assessment tool can replicate.
3 Questions Only a Care-Experienced Child Can Ask
If you are an agency or a social worker looking to improve your assessment process, ensure your young people are asking these types of questions. These cut through the “rehearsed answers” candidates prepare.
1. “What would you do if I hated you?”
Adults ask: “How do you manage challenging behavior?” The child’s question cuts to the core of rejection. It tests resilience and unconditional positive regard.
2. “Why do you want me in your house?”
Adults ask: “What is your motivation to foster?” The child’s question demands a personal, human response, not a textbook answer about “giving back to the community.”
3. “Do you get it?”
This is the unasked question. It’s a vibe check. It is what happens in the silence between the questions.
To My Fellow Prospective Carers
If you are terrified of the Young Person’s Interview, you should be. It means you understand the gravity of what we are doing.
When we sit down in front of those young people, we are asking for permission to enter their community. We are asking to be trusted with their peers.
My advice? Drop the “professional” mask.
- Be nervous: It shows you care.
- Be honest: If you don’t know the answer, say so.
- Listen: We spend so much time talking at looked-after children. Spend this time listening.
The Cycle Breaks Here
Everything has fallen into place for us. The house is built. The heart is ready.
“This is the sound of a cycle that breaks / This is the feeling of all that it takes…”
Passing the adult panel is the legal requirement. Passing the Young Person’s interview is the moral one.
Key Takeaways
- Why do young people interview foster carers? To assess emotional safety, relatability, and authenticity from a lived-experience perspective.
- Is a Young Person’s Panel mandatory? It is considered best practice in modern social work to involve care-experienced voices in recruitment.
- How should I prepare for a foster carer interview? Focus on honesty, transparency, and emotional intelligence rather than “textbook” answers.
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