The panel provides independent oversight of the recruitment, assessment and review of foster carerandrsquo;s and connected persons and makes reasoned recommendations about their suitability to foster. The panel also considers and makes recommendations on long-term fostering matches.
The Independent Panel Chair selected will be a qualified social worker with at least five years post-qualification experience and registered with Social Work England. We are looking for a competent and accomplished professional who has considerable expertise in chairing complex meetings and the skills to effectively manage the fostering panel.
The Fostering Panel provides independent oversight of the recruitment, assessment and review of foster carers and makes reasoned decisions on their suitability to foster.
You would demonstrate expertise in childcare planning and child development with detailed and up to date knowledge of the legislative framework for fostering, and a comprehensive understanding of the national minimum standards and regulations and current good practice initiatives.
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We have a clear vision for the increased recruitment of foster carers from the local community as well as increase support offered to foster carers and Connected Carers. Strong leadership skills and the ability to be creative and deliver change will be required. It is our ambition to enhance our support offer to Darlington Carers and improve our retention, building their skills and knowledge to safeguard our children and achieve positive outcomes and placement stability for them.
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Our recent Ofsted inspection graded us as good overall with the experience and progress of children in care and care leavers rated as outstanding. Ofsted commented:
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Most children live in stable placements with foster carers in the local area. Placements meet their needs well and children are making very good progress. When carers require additional support, the fostering service is highly responsive, and this is leading to increased stability and a reduction in placement disruption. Foster carers feel well supported by social workers. They access high-quality support and training, which equips them well to meet the needs of individual children in their careandrdquo;. andldquo;Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are very well supported and cared for. Social workers and foster carers go to great lengths to meet their unique needs and individual interestsandrdquo;.
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You would be expected:
andbull; To chair Panel meetings, ensuring that all items of business are covered and that the Panel operates in accordance with Regulations and Guidance and the policies and procedures.
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andbull; To take responsibility for participating in the making of a well evidenced recommendation, on each case, drawing on both personal and professional knowledge and experience.
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andbull; To prepare for panel meetings, reading Panel papers carefully, identifying key issues and alerting the Panel Adviser 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 Panelandrsquo;s consideration of cases and to the making of clear and well evidenced recommendations with the reasons for these.andnbsp;
andbull; To participate in advising on policy and procedural matters as required, to support Darlington to continue to promote the high standards of work within the Fostering Service.
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andbull; To ensure that all those attending Panel are treated with respect and courtesy.
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andbull; To address diversity issues and promote anti-discriminatory practice at all times.
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andbull; To safeguard the confidentiality of all Panel reports and Panel discussions. Together for Children promote a paperless Fostering Panel and as such Panel members require basic IT skills to access the reports via a laptop or tablet.
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andbull; To participate in Panel induction and in Panel training, which will be at least one day per year.
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andbull; To participate constructively in the annual review of the Panel, as required by the agency.
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Remuneration: Expenses payment of andpound;400 per full days Panel attended, or andpound;250 for a half day attendance (half day being 3.5 hours, 6.5 hours and over being a full day and anything in between being calculated on a pro rota basis). Reasonable transport costs are reimbursed by agreement with the Panel Advisor, but should not exceed 30 miles each way. This payment includes reading time and preparation prior to panel.
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Frequency- Panel is held twice per month usually on the second Tuesday of every month and the last Tuesday of every month.
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The regular commitment is for a minimum of one panel each month with a view of introducing a second monthly panel to manage the demands of the business and so the Chair would be expected to sit on at least one panel per month. The panel meetings are held at Darlington Borough Council Town Hall. You will also be expected to attend at least one day training during the year.
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For an informal discussion please contact Phil Austen andndash; Fostering and Supported Lodgings Team Manager on 07384828984 or phil.austen@darlington.gov.uk
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About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .