We are looking to recruit independent Fostering Panel members with a variety of personal and professional experiences to join our central list of panel members and ensure we have sufficient members to enable Panel to carry out its regulatory functions.
Our aim is for our Fostering Panel to be fully representative of the children, carers and families that we work with in Peterborough. We are interested in recruiting people from a range of diverse backgrounds and experiences but particularly in candidates who are care-experienced, those with experience of being a foster carer or kinship carer and those from related professions such as Police, Education and Health.
The role of the Fostering Panel is to support the provision of high quality and safe foster homes for our children through sound and competent recommendations regarding applicants' suitability to foster, in line with the Fostering Service Regulations 2011 [England].
As a Fostering Panel Member you will sit in an independent capacity, supporting Peterborough Fostering Service to make the best decisions for children. You will carefully consider the paperwork provided to Panel prior to the meeting, as well as the Panel discussions. You will need to be comfortable forming and articulating a view in a formal meeting setting and able to read, process and analyse large amounts of complex information.
Induction to the role and ongoing training and development is provided. You would also need to be able to attend one development day annually.
Panels take place every 3 weeks mostly on a Wednesday, throughout the year, either virtually or face to face, and you would need to be able to attend a minimum of 4 panels. Panels start at 9.30am and usually finish by 4.30pm. You would need to be able to attend the whole panel. Preparation for the panel includes reading all paperwork and formulating questions.
This role is an Office Holder post (this means that you will not be employed by Peterborough City Council). Fees are £175 for a full panel day (up to 7 hours) and £87.50 for a half day (up to 3.5 hours). The fee includes reading and preparation time. Travel expenses are payable for face-to-face panels.
We are looking forward to welcoming your application.
Interviews to be held in person in Peterborough on: 3rd December 2024