Director and Responsible Individual at First for Fostering
First for Fostering is looking to recruit a Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer to carry out Foster Carer Reviews. The Independent Reviewing Officer is to contribute to the provision of a high‑quality fostering service by ensuring that every foster carer’s suitability to foster and terms of approval are reviewed at least once annually as required by the Fostering Regulations 2011.
This role is on a consultancy basis. The IRO will be responsible for conducting reviews of foster carers, ensuring compliance with policies and regulations, providing guidance and support to foster carers, and liaising with various stakeholders. The IRO will be expected to maintain accurate records of reviews and meetings.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
* To chair foster carer reviews at least once annually as required by the Fostering Regulations 2011 following an agenda agreed by the senior management team of First for Fostering.
* To chair reviews brought forward as a consequence of Standard of Care Meetings.
* To ensure that the views of foster carers, all children within the foster family, and those of relevant stakeholders including social workers, are considered and analysed within each annual review meeting.
* To ensure that all required regulatory and agency checks and balances are current and raise no concerns.
* To highlight areas of good practice, compliments, and achievements alongside highlighting any areas that require future development for either the foster carer or the agency.
* To validate that foster carers are maintaining up to date training and professional development as expected by First for Fostering and are contributing to foster care support groups; to challenge when this is not evident.
* To establish that foster carers are maintaining legible and informative written records that are child‑focused.
* To provide detailed minutes to the agency that are of a high quality, evidence‑challenge when appropriate, and are completed within the timescales expected by First for Fostering.
* Recommendations about suitability and terms of approval will be based on sound evidence and rationale.
Qualifications and Experience
* Social Work Qualified
* Evidence of ongoing professional development and training
* Experience of some management/supervisory responsibilities
* Experience chairing complex meetings
* Experience of working with autonomy and independence
* Experience of risk management
Seniority Level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type
Part‑time
Industries
Individual and Family Services
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