Job Introduction
We are looking for a Foster Panel Independent Vice Chair to support us here at Staffordshire. This is a permanent role.
The rate of pay for panels is as follows:
- £450.00 per panel when acting as Chair,
- £150 when acting as Vice Chair
The Vice Chair will have the opportunity to Chair 3-5 panels a year and would need to be available to step in for the Chairperson during any holiday and or other absence.
The Foster Panel in Staffordshire covers both mainstream and connected foster care applications and is consequently a busy panel. Fostering panels run every Wednesday and last for up to 6 hours but can be longer or shorter dependent upon the panel business.
Staffordshire’s Vice Chairs support the wider fostering service with additional tasks such as considering changes of approval and long-term matches that often sit outside of fostering panel.
Main Responsibility
As a Foster Panel Vice Chair you'll be:
- Chairing panel meetings as scheduled and be available to step into the Chair Role as and when required (with minimal notice if necessary).
- 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 liaising with the agency panel adviser if necessary if there are any concerns regarding paperwork being not being adequate for 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 reasons 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 before they are sent to the agency decision maker.
- To liaise with the decision-maker and with other senior managers as required.
- To ensure, with the agency panel adviser, that senior managers are aware of issues of concern, in relation both to individual items and to more general matters.
- To constructively participate in the yearly central list membership appraisal.
- To assist in developing, promoting and monitoring policies and procedures and high standards of work in the fostering service.
- To participate in the training for central list members at least once a 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 a panel member who declares an interest in a case
The Ideal Candidate
You'll need to have:
- At least 2-3 years’ experience of sitting as a panel member,
- Experience either professionally or personally or both, of the placement of children in foster families and of children being cared for away from their birth family.
- Excellent organisational skills and have the ability to manage complex and at times challenging cases, whilst remaining approachable and balanced
- Have an in-depth level of knowledge of the fostering regulations and standards
- An understanding of the needs of a wide variety of foster carers who can offer a rich selection of home environments for our children requiring foster placements
Want to know more?
For an informal discussion please contact Julia Challinor, Fostering Central Panel and Approval Team Manager on 01785 895058
Process
It is expected that candidate suitable after shortlisting would then be invited to an interview on 16 March (TBC).
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to a range of benefits.
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Silver Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
