Payment: Up to 4 cases per panel - £150
Between 4 - 6 cases per panel - £300
Panel Member bi-yearly training - £100 each training
About the service
The fostering service is an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) split into two branches but with a number of centralised functions. Operational Area 1 is based in Kingston and Operational Area 2 is based in Maidenhead. This role will be a split role across both operational sites, with foster carer visiting and the option of working from home often. The IFA is expanding as a service, growing in fostering households, services and functionality. As we are an IFA with two branches we are Ofsted inspected separately within the branches, we also engage in the iLAC’s for the 3 owning councils; London Borough Richmond, Royal Borough of Kingston and Royal Borough of Windsor Maidenhead.
We hold approximately 30 panels through the year, for the most part they are held face to face in either Kingston or Maidenhead, however on occasion through the year this will be virtual. Panel members will be on a central list however can choose which panel location they prioritise. Panel members are expected to attend at least 4 panels through the year, be available for 1 panel training session a year and for their yearly review.
About the role
-To read the circulated papers carefully before the panel meeting and to attend the meeting prepared to raise issues and to contribute to the panel discussion.
-To take responsibility for participating in the making of a recommendation, on each case, drawing on both personal and professional knowledge and experience.
-To attend meetings of the panel as specified in the agency/panel member agreement.
-To be prepared to attend additional panels if possible, if requested.
-To participate, with other members, in advising on policy and procedural matters as required.
-To address diversity issues and promote anti-discriminatory practice.
-To safeguard the confidentiality of all panel papers and panel discussions.
-To participate in induction and training, which will take place as a minimum one day per year.
-To participate constructively in the annual review of your central list panel membership.
Education and Qualifications
-Experience, either professionally or personally or both, of the placement of children in foster families or of children being cared for away from their birth family.
-A social work qualification will be necessary for certain panel members.
Knowledge
-An appreciation of the effect of separation and loss on children.
-Awareness of the richness of different kinds of families and their potential for meeting children’s needs.
-Some understanding of the purpose and function of the panel and of the agency which the panel is serving, or a willingness to learn.
Abilities
-Good listening and communication skills.
-The ability to read, process and analyse large amounts of complex and sometimes distressing information.
-The ability to make an assessment and to form a view, based on the written and verbal information presented to panel, and the confidence to articulate this at panel.
-The ability to use personal and/or professional knowledge and experience to contribute to discussions and decision-making in a balanced and informed manner.
-The ability to work cooperatively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
-The ability to attend panel meetings, as required, arriving on time, and to attend at least one training day each year.
Attitudes
-A commitment to keeping children within their own family or community where this is possible and to maintain contact between children living in foster families and their birth families where this appears to be in the child’s best interests.
-A commitment to fostering as a way of meeting a child’s needs where this appears to be in the child’s best interests.
-A commitment to safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare in foster care.
A valuing of diversity in relation to issues of ethnicity, religion, gender, disability and sexuality.
-An understanding of, and commitment to, the need for confidentiality.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
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 .