Independent Fostering Panel Chair

Role: Independent Fostering Panel Chair, Social Workers preferable

Panel Locations: Milton Keynes

Panel Rates of Pay: £350 per panel attended

Fostering Panel Frequency: Our panels are held monthly

ABOUT US

Set up by a former foster parent and former social worker in 1994, Foster Care Associates (FCA) is an established fostering agency which forms part of the Polaris Community - one of the UK's largest leading communities of children's service providers.

The business was born out of an enthusiasm for delivering fostering services to make a positive difference to the lives of looked after children. Our first office was in the Worcestershire countryside, and that is still where our Head Office is today.

We have come a long way since those early days. Over the years, FCA has built a strong reputation for excellence, and now offers a wide range of services to children and families. But our purpose remains the same; 'to make a positive and lasting difference for children, families and communities', and it is underpinned by a series of values designed to help us assist children and young people to reach their full potential.

Today, we are one of the country's largest and most experienced Independent Fostering agencies. Just because we are large, does not mean we are impersonal. At FCA we are one big family, and we are committed to supporting every single child and foster parent, every single minute of the day.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

As an Agency who holds typically one panel a month, we are looking for a new Panel Chair to host these meetings. The plan is to move back to face to face meetings at our office in Milton Keynes, so you would need to live within commutable distance to there. For those meetings not held face to face, these will be held on Microsoft Teams.

As well as the panel meetings, you will be required to attend quarterly critical friend meetings with the Registered Manager and Fostering Service Manager. Alongside panel development days which will be held twice a year.

Interviews to be held on Thursday 14^th March 2024.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• To be a registered social worker with extensive experience in fostering and children's social work.
• To chair panel meetings, ensuring that all items of business are covered and that the panel operates in accordance with regulations and the policies and procedures of the agency.
• To prepare for panel meetings, reading panel papers carefully, identifying key issues and alerting the agency advisor if necessary to ensure, as far as possible, that the case is adequate for submission to panel.
• To facilitate the active participation of all panel members in contributing to the panel's consideration of cases and to the making of clear and well-evidenced recommendations with the reason for these.
• To ensure that all those attending panel are treated with respect and courtesy.
• To address diversity issues and to promote anti-discriminatory practice at all times.
• To ensure that clear and accurate minutes are written, which record any serious reservations which panel members may have, and to be involved in checking and agreeing draft minutes with other panel members before they are sent to the decision-maker.
• To liaise with the decision-maker and with other senior managers as required.
• To ensure, along with the agency advisor, that senior managers are aware of issues of concern, in relation both to individual cases and to more general matters.
• To be involved in the recruitment and appointment of central list panel members and in any consideration about terminating the appointment of a member.
• To review, possibly with the agency advisor, the performance of central list panel members as the need arises, and at least annually.
• To assist in developing, promoting and monitoring policies and procedures and high standards of work in fostering services in the agency.
• To assist in planning training for members and to participate in this at least one day per year.
• To safeguard the confidentiality of all panel papers and panel discussions.
• To be involved in;
  • Deciding whether a case is adequate for submission to panel.
  • Deciding on the attendance of observers at panel.
  • Deciding on the participation of panel members who declare an interest in a case.
  • Deciding when an extra panel may be necessary.
  • The preparation of an annual report on the panel's work.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience and qualifications

• Experience, either professional or personally or both, of the placement of children in foster families and of children being card for away from their birth family.
• Experience of chairing complex meetings.

Click apply now to visit our careers portal and view the full person specification.

What we offer:

• Full induction
• Annual training
• Annual Appraisal of Independent Panel Chairs
• £350 per day, inclusive of reading time

For an informal discussion about this post please contact Lisa Turney, Fostering Service Manager on 07824 561851.

To be considered for this position please submit an application and we will be in touch.

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check, cost of which will be met by FCA.

FCA is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.