Independent Fostering Panel Chair

Independent Fostering Panel Chair

Milton Keynes City Council’s Fostering Service works within the wider context of Children’s Services. We are committed to keeping children within their extended family and friends network. The work of the team includes the recruitment, assessment and support of mainstream foster carers, the assessment of family friend carers and the support of special guardians. The Panel hears both mainstream and kinship applications.

Main Responsibility
Chair panel meetings, ensuring that all items of business are covered and that the panel operates in accordance with the regulations and guidance and the policies and procedures of the agency.
Prepare for panel meetings, reading panel papers, identifying key issues to ensure, as far as possible, that the case is adequate for submission to panel.
Facilitate the active participation of all panel members in contributing to the panel's consideration of cases and to the making of clear and well-evidenced recommendations with the reasons for these.
Ensure that all those attending panel are treated with respect and courtesy.
Address diversity issues and to promote anti-discriminatory practice at all times.
Ensure that clear and accurate minutes are written, which record any serious reservations which panel members may have, and to be involved in checking and agreeing minutes with other panel members before they are sent to the agency decision-maker.
Liaise with the agency decision maker and other senior managers such as the Head or Service as required.
Ensure, with the agency adviser, that officers within the agency are aware of issues of concern, in relation to individual cases and to more general matters.
Review, with the agency adviser, the performance of central list and panel members as the need arises, and at least annually.
Assist in developing, promoting and monitoring policies and procedures and high standards of work in relation to the fostering and permanence services in the agency.
Assist in planning training for members and to participate in this at least one day per annum.
Safeguard the confidentiality of all panel papers and panel discussions.
The Ideal Candidate
The role of the Panel Chair is important in supporting us achieve our goals in providing high quality placements for children and young people. We are looking for a Fostering Panel Chair who can bring their knowledge and experience of Fostering and Children's Services to lead the panel and ensure compliance with legislative frameworks, national standards and regulations. You will need experience of chairing complex meetings, good interpersonal skills and the ability to analyse and summarise complex information.

The post holder will be expected to operate in line with our workplace values: we are: Dedicated, Respectful and Collaborative.

In order to make an application you should have wide experience within Children’s Services including Fostering and/or experience as a panel member of a Fostering Panel.

An enhanced DBS check is required.

Fees

Fees for this role are £550 per full Panel and £275 per half day Panel chaired. Additional fees are payable for appraisals, report writing and attending meetings.

£550 per full panel day, £300 for panel appraisals, £200 for completing the annual report, £100 for attending quarterly meetings

About the Company

Milton Keynes is a diverse, welcoming, and expanding place, built on smart ideas with even bigger plans for the future. We have world class attractions, beautiful open spaces, and a great standard of living.

Milton Keynes City Council is one of the largest employers in the region, making a difference every day for local people. We’re responsible for all local government services in MK including education, housing, highways, and social services - around 240 services in all.

Our values are to be dedicated, respectful, and collaborative. If this sounds like you, join us for a stimulating and fulfilling career measured on results, and a rewarding work-life balance.