Job reference: 263994
Salary: Salaried GP (£77,160 - £115,167)
Job closing date: 19/11/2026
Job Type: Medical and Dental
Location: Borders General Hospital
Employment type: Fixed-term
Hours Per Week: 2
Job posted date: 05/11/2026
Employer (NHS Board): NHS Borders
Department: Child Health Services Team

General Practitioner with a specialist interest in adoption and fostering/medical advisor
Applications are invited for a 2 hour session post to be employed by NHS Borders as a GP with Special Interest in fostering and adoption as part of the Child health services Team. The successful applicant will write reports to advise adoption and fostering panels at Borders Children’s and Young Person’s Family Placement Team (CYPS) on adult health screening for prospective adopters/foster carers as well as ongoing foster carer health review and attend adoption panel when required. Knowledge of the issues affecting care experienced children/young people is essential in this role as well knowledge of adult health and how those health issues might impact a parenting role.

Job Summary

• Act as a medical adviser to Borders adoption and fostering panels for the purpose of adults who apply to foster/adopt.
• Screen adult health assessments and write reports on prospective adopters and foster carers. This may require obtaining additional information from clinical portal, GP’s, mental health services etc. the reports will interpret medical information for panels/social work and outline the potential impact of health issues on children/young people.
• Screen adult health assessments and write reports on current foster carers who require review.
• Contribute to panel training / updates on adult health issues affecting prospective adoptive / foster carers.
• Contribute to any research / audit within the department.
• Attend monthly team meetings / peer review sessions when possible.
• 0.5 sessions to be worked flexibly.

Job Dimensions
The post holder will be employed by NHS Borders, and will work collaboratively with Borders Social work department.

Roles and Responsibilities
Specialist Practice

• Provide comprehensive health reports on adults who foster or wish to be considered for fostering or adoption. Be designated as a medical adviser to adoption and fostering Panel for Borders social work department.

Professional Leadership

• Support GP’s in providing adequate information for adult health assessments required by law for prospective foster and adoptive cases and periodic review of current foster carers.
• Support social work departments as a designated medical adviser.

Education and Training

• Contribute towards improving skills and knowledge of GP’s in relation to adults who foster or wish to adopt a child.
• Contribute towards improving skills and knowledge of GP’s in relation to the issues affecting care experienced children.
• Contribute to practice notes / guidelines on adult health issues related to fostering / adoption.
• Contribute to peer review sessions with local medical advisers and attend national conferences run by AFKA (Association for Fostering, Kinship and Adoption Scotland).

Practice and Service Development, Research and Evaluation

• Contribute to service audits and inspections.
• Implement action plans resulting from audits and inspections.

Key Result Areas

• Encourage GP’s to demonstrate good practice and support those who wish to improve their practice with care experienced children / young people and those who care for them.
• Maintain a high quality / timeous screening of adult medical forms and link with GP’s / consultants as required for further information to produce a comprehensive report.
• Contribute to the wellbeing of care experienced children young and young people and those who care for them by supporting social work agencies in their role through advice and education.
• Support the audit process within the clinical governance framework.

Competencies

• Knowledge of the impact of health conditions which may affect parenting ability, as well as implications for children and their long-term placement.
• An understanding of the assessment process in becoming a foster carer or prospective adopter.
• An understanding of the health needs and complexities of looked after children and young people.
• Knowledge of the legislative framework underpinning child welfare.
• Knowledge and understanding of the national and local policy framework underpinning fostering and adoption.
• Understanding and skill in interagency working.
• Ability to contribute to training events.

Assignment and Review of Work
Work will be assigned from the Paediatric Team consultant in conjunction with administrative staff. Review of work will be undertaken by the Lead Clinician for permanence and the clinical director for health services.

Communication and Working Relationships
An essential requirement for the post holder will be the ability to communicate effectively and confidently at all levels and with a variety of personalities, professionals, partner agencies, the voluntary sector and the public.

Internal

• Child health department

External

• Local Authorities – including Social Work and Education (Borders)
• AFKA Medical Advisor Forum

Most Challenging Part of the Job

• Time management
• Flexibility to meet often unpredictable timescale

Job Plan
Projected: 2 sessions per month (52 weeks = 46 weeks per year / 6 weeks holiday)

• 1/month – Panel
• 2/month – preparing medical reports for panel
• 1/month – CPD/meetings

Review with consultant paediatrician

Whether you’re early in your career or looking to take the next step into a more senior role, NHS Borders offers a supportive environment where you can grow, influence change, and make a real impact.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. NHS Scotland Boards will check your entitlement to work in the UK as part of pre-employment checks. Please ensure you have checked your right to work or sponsorship eligibility BEFORE submitting your application. We cannot accept late applications, so please submit early. NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of society.