Calderdale Fostering Service is seeking expressions of interest for a Fostering Panel Vice Chair.
The Vice Chair will be paid an agreed fee of £475 per panel when sitting as Vice Chair and the standard panel fee of £150 when sitting as a panel member.
Fostering Panels in Calderdale are held virtually using Microsoft Teams on Thursdays. We currently hold 2 panels per month, with an additional 4 panels across the year. The Vice Chair would be expected to chair a minimum of 4 panels each year and cover additional dates as necessary.
The Fostering Panel meet in person for 2 training days per year.
Role Description
• To chair panel meetings, ensuring that all agenda items are covered and that the panel operates in accordance with regulations and the policies and procedures of the agency.
• To prepare for panel meetings, reading panel papers carefully, identifying key issues and alerting the panel advisor where necessary of issues which may impact the case being heard.
• To facilitate the active participation of all panel members in reaching a recommendation and ensuring panel recommendations are well-evidenced recommendations with clear reasons.
• To ensure that all those attending panel are treated with respect and courtesy.
• To address diversity issues and to promote anti-discriminatory practice at all times.
• To ensure that the panel minutes are accurate and record any serious reservations which panel members may have, and to be involved in checking and agreeing the minutes before they are sent to the agency decision maker.
• To liaise with the agency decision maker and with other senior managers as required.
• To ensure, along with the panel advisor, that senior managers are aware of issues of concern in relation both to individual cases and to more general matters.
• To be involved in the recruitment and appointment of panel members and in any consideration about terminating the appointment of a panel member.
• To assist with the review of the performance of panel members as the need arises.
• To assist in monitoring the agency policies and procedures and overseeing the standards of work in the fostering service.
• To assist in planning training days for panel members and to participate in this at least one day a year.
• To attend panel business meetings as scheduled.
• To ensure confidentiality of all panel papers and panel discussions.
• To be involved in:
o Deciding whether a case is adequate for submission to panel;
o Deciding on the attendance of observers at panel;
o Deciding on the participation of a panel members who declares an interest in a case;
o Deciding when an extra panel may be necessary;
o The preparation of the annual report on the panel’s work
Experience and Qualifications
• Experience, either professionally or personally or both, of the placement of children in foster families and of children being cared for away from their birth family.
• Experience of chairing complex meetings.
Knowledge
• Knowledge and understanding of Fostering National Minimum standards and Fostering Regulations.
• An appreciation of the effect of separation and loss on children.
• An awareness of the richness of different kinds of families and their potential for meeting children’s needs.
• An understanding of the fostering process and practice and of the legislative framework for the work of the panel, or the capacity to develop this knowledge quickly.
Abilities
• The authority and competence to chair a panel, ensuring that the business is covered and that the panel operates in accordance with regulations and the policies and procedures of the agency.
• Excellent interpersonal and listening skills.
• The ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
• The ability to identify key issues and possible solutions and to communicate these clearly.
• The ability to facilitate the active participation of all panel members in contributing to the panel’s consideration of cases and recommendations.
• The ability to manage the expression of strongly held but possibly conflicting views by panel members and to help the panel to reach a recommendation which takes account of all these views.
• The ability to take up issues as required with the agency, liaising with the decision maker and other senior managers.
• Where required, working with the panel advisor, to review each panel member’s performance, ensuring that this is a helpful and constructive process for both the panel member and the panel as a whole.
Attitudes
• 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 a commitment to, the need for confidentiality.
• A willingness to increase knowledge and understanding of issues through reading, discussion and training.
• A willingness to contribute constructively to the annual review of their role as panel chair
If you would like to discuss this role in more detail, please contact Kate Duffy, Fostering Panel Advisor Kate.duffy@calderdale.gov.uk .
Closing Date: 15th May 2024
Interview Date: TBC
We may utilise digital interview methods.
As part of our Vision (https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision/) we aim to be a talented, resilient and inclusive community. We welcome applications from all and offer a variety of flexible working / job share opportunities.
On 30 January 2019, the Council declared a climate emergency in a bold move to step up its action to tackle climate change.
Calderdale Council embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and we are committed to providing an environment that is inclusive. We encourage applications from people who share our commitment to challenge inequality and promote diversity across Calderdale. We particularly welcome applications from communities that are currently under-represented in our organisation. All applications are anonymised before being seen by the selection panel.
We reserve the right to close vacancies prior to the advertised closing date, an early submission is advised.