Oxfordshire’s Fostering Service is determined to provide an outstanding service to all children in foster care and a standard of care that meets or exceeds their needs. Oxfordshire recognises the central importance of foster care as a vehicle for transforming the lives of children in public care. Foster carers are regarded as making a hugely valuable contribution and should, therefore, be provided with first rate preparation, training and support to carry out their role to maximum effect. As a responsible Corporate Parent, Oxfordshire is committed to listening to the voice of each child and young person, assessing their needs and comprehensively planning to meet them. The Fostering Service will work in effective partnership with their families, foster carers, colleagues within the County Council, and other agencies with the objective of delivering the best possible care and support to the Children We Care For and young people.
The Person
You will be a qualified and Social Work England registered social worker and a competent and accomplished chairperson with experience at a senior level in a local authority or voluntary childcare setting.
With a proven ability to ensure Panels function within a clear anti-discriminatory framework the postholder will be able to demonstrate expertise in childcare planning and child development; a detailed and up to date knowledge of the legislative framework for Fostering and a comprehensive understanding of the national standards, relevant performance indicators and current good practice initiatives.
Job Responsibilities
1. Chair Panel meetings, ensuring that all items of business are covered and that the Panel operates in accordance with regulations and the policies and procedures of the agency.
2. In accordance with Regulations the requirement is that the Chair attends at least 80% of Panels and will also attend Panel training events and relevant meetings to include twice yearly Fostering Team Managers Meeting, twice yearly Agency Decision Maker/Kinship Managers Meeting, and Legal and Medical Adviser’s meeting.
3. Read all the relevant paperwork prior to the Panel meeting and inform the Panel Adviser as necessary if the reports are adequate for submission to panel.
4. Ensure that all members and those attending Panel are able to contribute appropriately to Panel processes.
5. Ensure that Panel business will be conducted in a timely, respectful, sensitive and non-discriminatory manner.
6. Provide quality assurance feedback to the Fostering Service provider on the quality of reports being presented to panel.
7. Ensure that the written minutes of the Panel meetings are accurate and clearly cover the key issues and views expressed by Panel members and record the reasons for its recommendation.
8. Advise the relevant social workers of the recommendations of the Panel.
9. Ensure Panel minutes are agreed, signed and shared with Agency Decision Makers at the earliest appropriate juncture (within a week after the panel).
10. Ensure that the number, skills, knowledge and experience of persons on the central list are sufficient to enable the fostering service to constitute Panels that are equipped to make competent recommendations to the Fostering Service provider, taking into account the nature of the children and carers that the service caters for.
11. Take part in an annual appraisal and also undertake the annual appraisal of Panel Members with the Fostering Panel Adviser.
12. Meet on at least a six-monthly basis with the Vice Chairs and Fostering Adviser to ensure that Panel function is appropriately reviewed and training issues for members identified.
13. Hold an overview of Oxfordshire’s Fostering Service provision, providing feedback on the quality of reports submitted and areas for development, which will be discussed either at appraisal meetings or at meetings with the Fostering Adviser and Fostering Service Manager.
14. Contribute to the production of the annual Fostering Agency reports that are presented to the Corporate Parenting Panel.
15. Attend meetings with relevant managers as required to discuss issues relating to policy, strategy and performance.
16. Ensure managers are aware of any issues of concern and liaise with the Agency Decision Maker.
Panels take place on Wednesdays at a rate of approximately 3 per month across the year. Each Panel generally operates from 9.30 a.m. – 3.30 p.m. The rate for this post includes preparation reading for Panel, approval of minutes and travel costs. The Chair will be expected to be available for at least 80% of Panel meetings.
For more information on how to apply and for an informal discussion please contact Jackie Giles:
Email: Jackie.Giles@Oxfordshire.gov.uk
Phone: 07771944263