Independent Foster Panel Chair

Independent Foster Panel Chair

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Fee payable: £40 per hour

Location: Allendale Road

Approximately 50 panels per year plus training day/s

Newcastle City Council’s Foster a Future Fostering Service is looking to recruit an Independent Panel Chair to chair weekly panel meetings.

Fostering panel meetings are currently held weekly on Tuesday mornings and last around 4 hours. They are currently taking place virtually over Microsoft ‘Teams’ but we will shortly be moving back to holding panels in person at our Allendale Road office in the East of the City.

The panel provides independent oversight of the recruitment, assessment and review of foster carer’s and connected persons and makes reasoned recommendations about their suitability to foster. The panel also considers and makes recommendations on long-term fostering matches.

Good listening and communication skills are essential to the role along with the ability to make balanced and informed recommendations based on the written and oral information presented to the panel. Applicants should have experience of chairing meetings and should have the ability to manage complex discussions in order to reach a consensus.

Applicants should have a sound knowledge of Fostering legislation and practice guidance. Knowledge and experience of fostering, including the placement of children with wider families or friends and the needs of children being cared for away from their birth family is essential.

You will be expected to undergo a yearly appraisal and attend quarterly Panel Business Meetings and training sessions as required.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks.

If interested, please complete the attached application form and email it to jobs@newcastle.gov.uk

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Closing date:

15 August 2022