Role Description
As the Chair of our Fostering 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.

Apply for this job
Apply through our website

Role Overview
Location: Chelmsley Wood
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Competitive
Hours per week: 35