Fostering and Adoption Panel Advisor

Lincolnshire pa.; Lincoln; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Flexible working

Ongoing professional development

Wellbeing benefits

Influence practice

LGPS

Job summary

Lincolnshire County Council is seeking a Panel Advisor to provide professional advice, quality assurance and governance for fostering and adoption panels. You will ensure recommendations are based on thorough assessment and best interests of children.

The role supports panel chairs, develops panel members, and contributes to service development, with hybrid and flexible working, generous leave and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Has a recognised social work qualification and current Social Work England registration.
• Has substantial experience within fostering, adoption or permanence services.
• Possesses an excellent understanding of fostering and adoption legislation, regulations and national minimum standards.
• Demonstrates strong analytical, quality assurance and report-writing skills.
• Has experience of panel processes and multi-agency working.
• Is confident in providing professional challenge and advice while maintaining constructive relationships.

Responsibilities

• Advising fostering and adoption panels on legislation, regulations, policy and best practice.
• Quality assuring assessments and panel documentation to ensure high standards.
• Supporting and developing panel members through induction, training and ongoing development.
• Working closely with panel chairs to ensure effective and consistent decision-making.
• Contributing to service development, learning and continuous improvement.
• Monitoring panel performance and identifying themes, trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Supporting the implementation of regulatory and practice developments across fostering and adoption services.

Skills

Analytical skills

Quality assurance

Report writing

Multi-agency working

Professional challenge

Education

Social work qualification

Social Work England registration

Job description

About the Role

As Panel Advisor, you will provide professional advice, guidance and quality assurance to fostering and adoption panels. You will support the effective operation of panels, ensuring that recommendations are based on thorough assessment, sound analysis and the best interests of children.

Key responsibilities

• Advising fostering and adoption panels on legislation, regulations, policy and best practice.
• Quality assuring assessments and panel documentation to ensure high standards.
• Supporting and developing panel members through induction, training and ongoing development.
• Working closely with panel chairs to ensure effective and consistent decision-making.
• Contributing to service development, learning and continuous improvement.
• Monitoring panel performance and identifying themes, trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Supporting the implementation of regulatory and practice developments across fostering and adoption services.

About You

• Has a recognised social work qualification and current Social Work England registration (or equivalent relevant professional qualification).
• Has substantial experience within fostering, adoption or permanence services.
• Possesses an excellent understanding of fostering and adoption legislation, regulations and national minimum standards.
• Demonstrates strong analytical, quality assurance and report-writing skills.
• Has experience of panel processes and multi-agency working.
• Is confident in providing professional challenge and advice while maintaining constructive relationships.
• Is committed to achieving the best outcomes for children and young people.

What We Offer

At Lincolnshire County Council, we are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive working environment where colleagues can thrive. In return, we offer:

• Competitive salary and local government pension scheme.
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Ongoing professional development and learning opportunities.
• Access to a range of employee wellbeing benefits.
• The opportunity to influence practice and make a lasting difference to children and families across Lincolnshire.

At Lincolnshire County Council, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That's why we offer a rewarding package designed to support your work-life balance, health and wellbeing, financial security, and career growth. Find out more about our offer to you in the attached brochure.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the quality and effectiveness of fostering and adoption services across Lincolnshire. You will play a vital role in ensuring that children are matched with safe, nurturing families while supporting excellence in panel governance and decision-making.

Join us and help shape brighter futures for Lincolnshire's children.

Additional Information

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A Smarter Working Employer: We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Fluency Duty: In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

We're looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.