Overview
Casual Independent Fostering Panel Chair — Lancashire County Council. Casual hours; fees paid per panel. Role predominantly chairs a fostering panel with potential to chair an adoption panel for Adoption Lancashire & Blackpool on occasion. Hybrid working (Microsoft Teams and face-to-face panel) with some travel for training and development.
Responsibilities
* Chair fostering panels; may chair adoption panels as needed.
* Attend 1 panel per month initially, with potential to increase.
* Prepare for panels (pre-reading) and sign off minutes; ensure effective running of complex meetings.
* Utilise computer skills for virtual panels; adapt to both virtual and face-to-face delivery.
* Travel for training and development as required.
Requirements
* Registered social worker (SWE) or eligible to register; independent of Lancashire’s children’s services (or left more than 12 months ago).
* Experience chairing complex meetings; ability to chair and manage panel discussions.
* Ability to work across both virtual and in-person delivery platforms; comfortable with Microsoft Teams.
Contract and Pay
* Casual position; fees paid per panel.
* Full day panel fee: £500 (includes pre-reading and signing off minutes).
* Half day panel fee: £250 (if panel finishes before 1pm).
Additional Details
* Hybrid panels with one face-to-face session; future changes may increase face-to-face panels.
* Some travel required for training and development sessions.
* Potential for future increase in panel frequency beyond one per month.
* International sponsorship: not open to international sponsorship.
* Closing Date: 28 September 2025.
* Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure may be required if successful.
Organisation
The panel team is friendly, professional and dedicated to improving the panel service for all stakeholders. Suitable candidates are encouraged to submit a supporting statement evidencing how they meet the criteria. Please refer to the job description and person specification for further information.
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