This is a brilliant opportunity to join our Fostering Service in a brand-new role focused on supporting our Fostering Panels.
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
As Panel Advisor you will:
Support high quality fostering services by ensuring that our Fostering Panels offer timely and effective approval and review of Foster Carers, and that applicants and Foster Carers receive welcoming, fair and clear feedback and decision making.
Ensure that statutory requirements are met under the Fostering Services Regulations and Fostering National Minimum Standards, and that panels meet the requirements of Durham policies and procedures.
Provide professional advice to our Fostering Panels and work closely with Panel Chairs to ensure that panels are diverse and representative of our communities, and members have a range of skills and experience.
Play a key role in developing the practice of our managers and practitioners by reviewing, maintaining and championing expertise in assessment and preparation for Panel; driving best practice based on research evidence and professional experience.
HOW WILL I BE SUPPORTED?
We are passionate about social work in County Durham. We are committed to providing a culture where good practice can flourish.
We will ensure you are highly supported. You will benefit from high quality professional supervision, a great induction, and access to our really strong learning and development offer. When you are ready to take your next step our aspiring managers programme “rising stars” will be there for you.
We encourage flexible working to achieve a good work-life balance.
You can find out more about social work in Durham here
WHAT WILL I NEED?
For this role you will need a degree in social work, or equivalent social work qualification, a current Social Work England Registration, and substantial recent post qualifying experience working with Children in Care or in in Fostering Social Work.
You will also need:
* Experience of co-ordinating and chairing meetings
* Experience of ensuring that processes are fit for purpose and efficient
* Experience of gathering data and feedback and of drafting reports
* Knowledge of the Advisor role and its relationship with Panel Chairs
* Knowledge of the Agency Decision Maker role, relationship to Panels and decision making
Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.
If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.
REWARDS AND BENEFITS
We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best. Take a look at our Rewards and Benefits here
READY TO APPLY?
We encourage you to contact Rachael Riley (Service Manager) for an informal conversation about the post before you apply. You can email Rachael at Rachael.Riley@durham.gov.uk
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services.
We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process.
INTERVIEWS
Interviews are expected to take place on 9 October 2025.
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.
HOW TO APPLY
In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal.
Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.
If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27 (option 2), or the Recruitment Team via email at RecruitmentCYPS@durham.gov.uk
Anyone currently listed on the Redeployment Register who is interested in being considered for this vacancy should contact Payroll and Employee Services on alternativeemployment@durham.gov.uk.
We collect personal information from you when you register with North East Jobs and make an application. Details on how we process your personal data is available in our Privacy Notice.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION FOR THIS POST WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH NORTH EAST JOBS, INCLUDING YOUR INVITE TO INTERVIEW IF YOU ARE SHORTLISTED. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOTIFICATION FROM DONOTREPLY@NORTHEASTJOBS.ORG.UK AS YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL.