Independent Panel Member

Job Category :Interims

Client Location :Romford Library, London Borough of Havering

Hours Per Week :36.00

Start Date : Immediate Start

Start Time :09:00

End Time :17:30

Salary: £300.00

This is a face to face role at Havering Town Hall – panel sits 2 Wednesday’s per month as a minimum. Panel Members are on a Rota basis. These are both set requirements.

Qualifications

• CQSW, Diploma in Social Work, CSS or equivalent.

Experience

• Significant experience of working in a Fostering service

• Experience of being and independent panel member for a fostering or adoption panel

• Experience of multi-disciplinary inter-agency basis

• Experience of the application of theoretical models and relevant research.

The London Borough of Havering Children’s Services is looking to recruit independent foster panel members. Our inclusive Foster panel meets at least twice a month in person in the Havering Town Hall, based in the centre of Romford (30 minutes from the centre of London). We are a rapidly changing borough with one of the highest growing child populations in the country. We want to reflect the growing diversity of Havering’s local population in our panel membership and are looking for people from different professional and cultural backgrounds to join us.

Previous panel experience is not essential. We want to recruit panel members from a wide variety of backgrounds including professionals with a background in heal, education and social care. You must have experience either professionally or personally, or both, of the journey of a child in care. We would welcome applications from previously care experienced adults. The successful candidates will be placed on our central membership rota. If you are successful you will receive an induction to our systemic model of practice and regular training to assist you in undertaking role on the panel. You will have a thorough induction and an opportunity to observe panel before you start. This post is subject to a requirement for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check.

The main responsibilities of the role are:

1. To draw upon both personal and professional experience and attend Foster Panel meetings in person

2. To fully contribute to panel discussions that contribute to the recommendations to approve foster carers,

3. To read circulated paperwork in advance of the panels to ensure a thorough understanding of the applicants prior to panel.

4. To Promote equality and challenge any discrimination

5. To fully engage in panel induction, ongoing panel training

6. To participate in constructive annual appraisals of your panel membership

7. To confirm to Havering Council if they have been charged, cautioned or convicted for any criminal offence or if any criminal proceeding are pending

If you are interested please contact Tendai Dooley / Jane Gouge for an informal conversation about the role.