We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
Departments, agencies and public bodies
News stories, speeches, letters and notices
Detailed guidance, regulations and rules
Reports, analysis and official statistics
Consultations and strategy
Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports
The home of Independent Review Mechanism on GOV.UK. We provide independent panels that review suitability to adopt or foster and other decisions made by adoption and fostering providers.
We provide independent panels that review suitability to adopt or foster and other decisions made by adoption and fostering providers.
A summary of what attending a review panel is like and the documents that you can submit to the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM).
How you can ask for an independent review if you disagree with an adoption agency’s or fostering service provider’s qualifying determination letter.
How you can complain about the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM). You cannot complain about an IRM panel review’s recommendation, or a fostering service provider’s or adoption agency’s decision.
Privacy notice for applicants for an Independent Review Mechanism for Fostering and Adoption (IRM) review panel.
How adopted persons and birth relatives can apply for a review of an adoption agency’s qualifying determination letter.
Annual reports on the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) for fostering and adoption in England.
A summary for caseworkers and line managers of what attending an IRM review panel is like, including the documents you’ll need to submit.
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.