Fostering Panel Advisor

Bradford Children and Families Trust; Bradford; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Annual leave + bank holidays

LG Pension

Professional development

Salary sacrifice benefits

Job summary

Bradford Children and Families Trust is seeking an experienced fostering practitioner to lead the Fostering Panel and ensure high-quality decision-making for children and carers.

You will mentor social workers, supervise complex cases including court proceedings, and drive continuous improvement through audits and professional development. The role requires SWE registration, a social work degree, and significant post-qualification experience.

Qualifications

• Recognised Social Work qualification (Degree in Social Work, Dip SW, CQSW, or equivalent).
• Current SWE registration.
• Post-qualifying Social Work award or evidence of ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the smooth running of the Fostering Panel, ensuring high-quality decision-making and positive outcomes for children.
• Quality assures assessments, reports, and panel papers to ensure they meet statutory, regulatory, and service standards.
• Act as the professional adviser to the Fostering Panel, providing expert guidance on legislation, policy, and best practice.
• Mentor, coach, and develop social workers, helping to strengthen practice and prepare for panel and court proceedings.
• Drive continuous improvement through audits, quality assurance activity, practice reviews, and service development initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with panel members, managers, and partner agencies to maintain an effective and child-centred fostering service.
• Lead training, learning, and practice development activities that promote excellence across the service alongside managing the fostering training officer.
• Support operational leadership by deputising for managers when required and contributing to strategic service improvements.

Skills

Social Work

Fostering Panel

Leadership

Mentoring

Regulation Knowledge

Court Proceedings

Education

Degree in Social Work

Post-qualifying Award

Job description

Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as many diversity as it’s geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.We are fully committed to equal opportunities, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

About the Role

Are you passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people? Do you thrive on supporting and developing others while maintaining high standards of professional practice? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

As a key member of our Fostering Service, you'll play a pivotal role in supporting the Fostering Panel and ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, child-centred service for foster carers and the children they support. You'll help drive excellence in practice, ensuring compliance with Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards, and organisational policies and procedures.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced practitioner who is committed to practice development and empowering colleagues to achieve their full potential.

Our strategic vision andvalues https://www.bradfordcft.org.uk/about-us/our-vision-and-values/ are upheld across the Trust, fostering a reliable and supportive environment for both staff and the children in our care.Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.

You'll also:

• Lead and support the smooth running of the Fostering Panel, ensuring high-quality decision-making and positive outcomes for children.
• Quality assures assessments, reports, and panel papers to ensure they meet statutory, regulatory, and service standards.
• Act as the professional adviser to the Fostering Panel, providing expert guidance on legislation, policy, and best practice.
• Mentor, coach, and develop social workers, helping to strengthen practice and prepare for panel and court proceedings.
• Drive continuous improvement through audits, quality assurance activity, practice reviews, and service development initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with panel members, managers, and partner agencies to maintain an effective and child-centred fostering service.
• Lead training, learning, and practice development activities that promote excellence across the service alongside managing the fostering training officer.
• Support operational leadership by deputising for managers when required and contributing to strategic service improvements.

To be successful in this role you will need:

• Recognised Social Work qualification (Degree in Social Work, Dip SW, CQSW, or equivalent).
• Current registration with Social Work England (SWE).
• Post-qualifying Social Work award or evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Full UK driving licence (unless a disability prevents this).
• Substantial relevant Social Work experience, including signification post-qualification experience.
• Significant experience managing complex cases, including Child Protection and Court Proceedings.
• Qualified Practice Educator (Stage 2) or willing to achieve this within six months of appointment.
• Experience supporting, mentoring, and developing social workers.
• Strong understanding of fostering legislation, regulations, and best practice standards.

You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:

Benefits

• Retention Payment: You will be eligible for our annual retention payment, paid in 12 monthly instalments. This is non contractual (reviewed annually)
• Generous annual leave - 31 days rising to 34 with service, plus bank holidays
• Excellent Local Government pension
• Family-friendly policies and enhanced parental leave
• Health & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling
• Professional development and career progression opportunities
• we are a National Living Wage employer
• Hybrid Working – Panels must be attended in Person

Bradford Children and Families Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.

If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.

Closing Date: 28TH September 2026

Interviews: 13th October 2026

Interviews will be remote MS Teams