Panel Chair

Job description

Job responsibilities

Panel Chair Advert

As theChairof ourFostering Panel, you will be passionate about the positive difference foster carers can make for our children and young people.

This is a full time role and the salary is competitive and will be discussed in interview

About By the Bridge

By the Bridge is an innovative, dynamic, independent fostering organisation providing high quality foster care and services to children and their foster families.

We aim to create an environment where all people feel valued and can grow, develop and achieve their goals. We work to ensure that By the Bridge is an organisation, which thrives on the diversity of its staff, families and children, to ensure that we assist and care for those most vulnerable, and advocate with them, and on their behalf.

Role Responsibilities

Chair all fostering panel meetings, ensuring that business is conducted efficiently and in accordance with statutory regulations, national minimum standards, and agency policies. Prepare thoroughly for panel meetings by reviewing all documentation, identifying key issues, and liaising with the Panel Adviser where necessary to ensure cases are ready for consideration. Liaise with panel advisers or senior managers before panel, should there be a consideration for deferment or non-approval Collate all information from panel members notes before panel and send to panel advisor and administrator. Facilitate constructive discussion and active participation from all panel members, ensuring recommendations are clear, well-evidenced, and child-focused. Ensure that all attendees, including applicants and professionals, are treated with respect and courtesy throughout the process. Promote diversity and anti-discriminatory practice in all aspects of panel business. Oversee the production of accurate panel minutes, ensuring they reflect the discussion, decisions, and any reservations expressed, and approve drafts before submission to the Agency Decision Maker. Liaise with Senior managers on a quarterly basis to discuss matters arising from panel business, including quality assurance and practice issues.

Essential Criteria

Experience in Fostering Panels, either chairing or being a panel member. Proven experience of chairing complex meetings with multiple stakeholders. Suitable qualifications to undertake the role of Chair (it is not a requirement to be a qualified social worker).

Understanding of the fostering process and practice, or the ability to acquire this knowledge quickly. Awareness of the legislative framework governing fostering panels. Awareness of diversity and anti-discriminatory practice.

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

• Please refer to job description above

Desirable

• Please refer to job description above

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

The Cambian Group

Address

Chelmsey Wood

B37 7HG

Employer's website

https://www.cambiangroup.com/ (Opens in a new tab)