The role of Fostering Panel is to support the provision of high quality and safe foster homes for our children through sound and competent recommendations regarding applicants’ suitability to foster, in line with the Fostering Service Regulations 2011 [England]. Fostering Panel also delivers on Southend’s Kinship vision, enabling and ensuring that children who need to be in our care, wherever possible, are looked after by those who know them best in their wider family and supported by regulation.
The role of Adoption Panel is to ensure the approval of well assessed and supported adopters for children in need of adoptive homes, and to support the approval of matches between adopters and children in need of an adoptive family, through equally sound and competent recommendations regarding applicants’ suitability to adopt, in line with the Adoption Service Regulations 2011 [England].
As a Panel Member you will sit in an independent capacity, supporting Southend-on-Sea City Council’s Fostering and Adoption Services to make the best decisions for children. You will carefully consider the paperwork provided to Panel prior to the meeting, as well as the Panel discussions. You will need to be comfortable forming and articulating a view in a formal meeting setting and able to read, process and analyse large amounts of complex information.
Induction to the role and ongoing training and development is provided. You would also need to be able to attend one training development day annually, as well as any other panel development as required or invited.
Panels take place monthly mostly on a Monday, throughout the year, in person and occasionally virtually and you would need to be able to attend a minimum of 6 panels. Panels start at 9.30am and usually finish by 4.30pm. You would need to be able to attend the whole panel. Preparation for the panel includes reading all paperwork and formulating questions.
This post’s status means that you will not be employed by Southend-on-Sea City Council. Fees are £250 for a full panel day and £125 for a half day (up to 3.5 hours). The fee includes reading and preparation time. Travel expenses are payable for face-to-face panels.
Please email adoptionadmin@southend.gov.uk for an Application Form.
We look forward to welcoming your application.
If you would like to discuss this role further please contact Karl Marsden, Panels Advisor karlmarsden@southend.gov.uk
Interviews to be held online with the Independent Chair and Vice Chair as well as the Panels Advisor.
Minimum of 6 panels a year, Fostering Panel and Adoption Panel meet for one day a month in person respectively. Panel Members need to allocate sufficient reading time.
Location:
Southend-on-Sea City Council, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend SS2 6ER
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