Fostering and Adoption Panel Advisor

The Methodist Church in Britain; Wollaton; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid working

Pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Professional development

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Lincolnshire County Council is recruiting a Panel Advisor to provide professional advice and quality assurance to fostering and adoption panels. The role focuses on legislation, policy, best practice, and training to panel members.

The post is hybrid with travel as needed and a 37-hour week. Applicants should hold a current Social Work England registration or an equivalent qualification, with substantial fostering/adoption experience and solid panel-process knowledge.

Qualifications

• Recognised social work qualification, or equivalent relevant professional qualification.
• Current Social Work England registration, or equivalent.
• Substantial experience in fostering, adoption or permanence services.
• Experience with panel processes and multi-agency working.

Responsibilities

• Advise fostering and adoption panels on legislation, regulations and best practice.
• Support panels to reach recommendations based on thorough assessment and children's best interests.
• Quality assure assessments and panel documentation.
• Support and develop panel members through induction, training and ongoing development.
• Work closely with panel chairs to keep decision-making effective and consistent.
• Contribute to service development, learning and continuous improvement.
• Monitor panel performance and identify themes and improvement opportunities.
• Support implementation of regulatory and practice developments across fostering and adoption services.

Skills

Analytical skills

Quality assurance

Policy advice

Stakeholder engagement

Report writing

Education

Social work qualification

Job description

The Fostering and Adoption Service at Lincolnshire County Council is recruiting a Panel Advisor to give professional advice and quality assurance to fostering and adoption panels. The work centres on advising panels on legislation, policy and best practice, checking assessments and panel paperwork, and supporting panel members through induction and training. The post is hybrid, with a nominated contractual work base and travel when needed, and the working pattern is 37 hours. Applicants need a current Social Work England registration or an equivalent professional qualification.

What the job involves

• Advise fostering and adoption panels on legislation, regulations, policy and best practice
• Support panels to reach recommendations based on thorough assessment, sound analysis and children's best interests
• Quality assure assessments and panel documentation
• Support and develop panel members through induction, training and ongoing development
• Work closely with panel chairs to keep decision-making effective and consistent
• Contribute to service development, learning and continuous improvement
• Monitor panel performance and identify themes, trends and improvement opportunities
• Support the implementation of regulatory and practice developments across fostering and adoption services

What's required

Qualifications

• Recognised social work qualification, or equivalent relevant professional qualification

Registration & licences

• Current Social Work England registration, or equivalent

Experience

• Substantial experience in fostering, adoption or permanence services
• Experience of panel processes and multi-agency working

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent understanding of fostering and adoption legislation, regulations and national minimum standards
• Strong analytical, quality assurance and report-writing skills
• Confidence in giving professional challenge and advice while keeping constructive relationships
• Commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children and young people

Checks & eligibility

• Criminal record check

Other

• Ability to converse at ease with customers and give advice in accurate spoken English

What's offered

• 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
• Opportunity to influence practice and make a lasting difference to children and families across Lincolnshire