Job info |
Job info details |
Job title |
Independent Panel member (Fostering and Adoption) |
Strategic team/Directorate |
Childrens Services |
Service |
Regulated Services |
Business unit |
Childrens Services |
Responsible to (day to day issues) |
Team Manager - Fostering |
Accountable to (line manager) |
Team Manager - Fostering |
Salary grade |
NG |
1. Key purpose of job
- To act as an independent member of the Fostering Panel in accordance with current legislation, guidance and departmental policies and procedures.
2. Anticipated outcomes of post
- To take responsibility for participating in the recommendations to the Agency Decision Maker in regard of the suitability of individuals to be approved or continue to be approved as Foster Carers for Torbay.
- To take responsibility for participating in the recommendations to the Agency Decision maker with regard to the suitability of a match for a child to specific adopters.
- To take responsibility for participating in the recommendations to the Agency Decision maker with regard to the suitability review and termination of approvals of adopters and foster carers.
- To regularly attend meetings of the panel as specified in the agency agreement.
- To read and ensure that there are a full set of minutes which accurately reflect the meeting and it’s recommendations and reasons.
- To ensure the best outcomes and highest standards are achieved for Torbay Council.
- To participate along with other members in the development of policy and procedural matters as required.
- To contribute to the quality assurance of assessments presented to the panel.
3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post
- As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.
- To regularly attend meetings of the panel as specified in the agency agreement.
- To prepare for panel meetings by reading panel papers fully and identifying key issues within the papers.
- To actively participate in contributing to panels considerations and recommendations.
- To address diversity issues and promote anti discriminatory practice at all times.
- To contribute to clear and accurate minutes that are produced and reflect the meeting, its recommendations and any advice given in addition to any reservations of panel members.
- To carry out a quality assurance function through the challenge of poor practice and report back to the Chair.
- To attend specific training for Panel members at least one day per year.
- To participate in appraisal and review of the role.
- To safeguard the confidentiality of all panel papers minutes and panel discussions.
- To ensure up to date personal knowledge of practice legislation and guidance relevant t the role.
4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post
5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post
6. Working environment and conditions of the post
- Normal working environment and conditions.
7. Physical demands of the post
8. Specific resources used by the post
9. Key contacts and relationships
External
- Agencies working with Children in Care carers / adopter and independent agencies.
Internal
- All professional working with Children in Care and fostering / adoption workers.
10. Other duties
- To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.
Other Information
- All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
- Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
- The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Childrens Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council.
- The post is eligible for both hybrid and permanent home working.
- As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
- The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement.
- The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
- The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
- The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
- If this post is a customer facing role and meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2017 (part 7) the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
- If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
- If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.
Person Specification
Note for Candidate
All Candidates
The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement.
In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.
Candidates who consider that they have a disability
Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.
If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.
Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.
If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.
Job info |
Job info details |
Job Title |
Independent Panel member (Fostering and Adoption) |
Strategic team/Directorate |
Childrens Services |
Service |
Regulated Services |
Business unit |
Childrens Services |
Skills and effectiveness
Essential skills and effectiveness
- Experience of professionally, personally or both of the placement of children being cared for away from their birth families.
- Experience of the Looked after Children’s process.
- The capacity to relate to carers, adopters and professional staff at all levels.
- Ability to challenge poor practice effectively.
- Problem solving and analytical abilities.
- Self motivation, personal confidence leadership and negotiation skills.
- The ability to make independent judgements that takes into account the views of others but are not unduly influenced by these.
- Ability to work to prescribed timeframes.
- As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Desirable skills and effectiveness
- Previous experience of attending panels.
Knowledge
Essential knowledge
- An understanding of Child Development and the effects of trauma, significant harm, loss and separation on children.
- An understanding of key issues for individuals affected by Foster Care and adoption.
- An understanding of all relevant child care legislation and statutory guidance.
- An understanding of the national minimum standards for regulated provisions.
- IT literate.
- Ability to demonstrate independence from Local Authority case management.
Desirable knowledge
- Human Rights legislation, Freedom of Information Act, Education Act, Licensing Act.
- SW Peninsular Child protection procedures.
Experience and achievements
Essential experience and achievements
- The ability to identify key issues and possible solutions and to communicate these clearly.
- Proven understanding of Child protection practice.
- Commitment to anti discriminatory practice.
- Ability to demonstrate a child centred commitment to valuing diversity and respect for others religion, language and culture.
- Proven ability to write reports and contribute to policy development.
Desirable experience and achievements
- Experience of working in a fostering or adoption setting.
- Experience of attending panels.
Qualifications/professional memberships
Essential qualifications/professional memberships
- There are no specific qualifications required for this post.
Desirable qualifications/professional memberships
- To hold academic or professional qualification relevant to children, their development and care needs.
Other requirements
Other requirements of the job role
- Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
- Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties.