Adoption Panel Chair

Wiltshire Council; Remote; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A regional adoption agency is seeking an Independent Chair for its Adoption Panel, especially with experience in the adoption process. The role involves chairing up to 20 panels annually and contributing to the overall performance of the Adoption Service. Competitive fee structure includes £571 per panel plus additional fees for training involvement. The panels are primarily virtual, with occasional face-to-face meetings. This crucial role will help shape the future of the Adoption Service within the agency.

Qualifications

• Sound understanding of the adoption process.
• Experience in chairing meetings.
• Ability to contribute to the performance of an Adoption Service.

Responsibilities

• Chair Adoption Panels, typically 20 panels per year.
• Quality check minutes and contribute to appraisal processes.
• Attend online meetings with Adoption Advisers.

Skills

Understanding of the adoption process

Chairing experience

Job description

Job Description

Adoption West is looking to appoint an Independent Chair to its Adoption Panel due to the retirement of one of its three Chairs at the end of March 2026. Adoption West is a regional adoption agency covering six local authorities in the South West. We are looking for a Chair who has a sound understanding and experience of the adoption process, the skills to chair an Adoption Panel and who can contribute to the overall performance of the Adoption Service.

Adoption West have three panel Chairs, with each Chair usually chairing 20 panels a year. Our panels have been run virtually since April 2020 with a very occasional face to face panel held if needed. We also hold face to face training days twice a year for all panel members.

The fee paid to the Chair is currently £571 per Adoption Panel. The fee includes preparation for and chairing the Panel meeting, quality checking the minutes of the Panel, involvement in Panel members' annual appraisals and contribution toward the 6 monthly reports as well as online attendance at meetings with the Adoption Advisers or Agency Decision Makers (currently four times a year and twice a year respectively). An additional fee will be paid for contribution towards any Panel training events and attendance at any SWAC (South West Adoption Consortium) meetings.