Fostering Panel Vice-Chair - Eastern Region

St Christopher’s has an exciting opportunity to join its Eastern Region Fostering Panel covering foster carers in Essex, Peterborough and London. We are looking for a Panel Vice-Chair to help us provide an excellent foster care service.

Joining a Fostering Panel

Panel plays an integral role in ensuring that children and young people come first when they live with St Christopher’s foster carers. They examine assessments of prospective foster carers and ensure that high standards are maintained across the agency in line with Panel’s monitoring role.

As panel vice-chair, you will chair fostering panels in the absence of the panel chair.

Applicants must be able to contribute to all Panel functions including:

• Making recommendations on the assessment and approval of foster carer applicants
• Foster carer reviews and terminations of approval
• A thorough and robust approach to assessing written information.

You will need to commit to attendance at Panel as agreed with St Christopher’s.

Skills for Fostering Panel Members

We are open to applications from a range of backgrounds and expertise, but you will need to possess the following skills and knowledge:

• Understanding of the needs of children and young people
• Understanding of the functions of a Fostering Panel and fostering processes, including the legislative framework underpinning this role
• Excellent communication skills
• The ability to work well with others
• Availability to read the relevant documents electronically prior to Panel dates

Please note that paperwork is shared with Panel members electronically, so applicants should have secure access to a laptop or similar.

All applicants will be required to undertake a DBS check as part of the interview process.

What we offer

As part of their role Panel Members receive:

• Induction training and additional training at least once a year.
• Annual appraisal
• Payment for preparation and attendance
• Travel expenses

Please send an updated CV and a personal statement covering:

• Why would you like to be panel vice chair?
• Why would you like to work for St Christopher's Fellowship?

To: Debbie Stone (Panel Manager) - debbiestone@stchris.org.uk

Closing date 21^st October 2024