Job Description

Contract Type:

Permanent

Salary:

Grade J. Scale 40 - 31,384 to Scale 43 - 33,302 (actual salary) with a professional bar at Sale 41 - 32,030

Hours Per Week:

22

Base Location:

Ashton Old Library, Old Street, Ashton Under Lyne

Assessment Date:

3rd November

The Role

Tameside Borough Council are looking to recruit a dynamic Fostering Panel Advisor. The role of Panel Advisor includes providing professional, regulatory, and procedural advice to the fostering panel and the wider workforce. The panel advisor ensures that arrangements for panel is co-ordinated in advance and that the panel meetings run smoothly.


This represents a real opportunity for the right person to help us achieve our ambitions, through inspirational leadership, effective partnership working and a determined focus on placing children, families and young people at the heart of what we do.


This is a key role in our improvement journey to and the successful applicant will report to the Head of Service Fostering.


Tameside is a forward-looking borough, committed to safeguarding our community and maximising the wellbeing of our residents, protecting the most vulnerable and putting people at the forefront of services to ensure that every decision supports our boroughs economic growth and self-sufficiency.


The provision of Children's Services in Tameside is a key priority for the Council and we are committed to achieving the best outcomes for Children and Young People. We have invested heavily in Tameside Children's Services to support capacity whilst at the same time continuing to have great ambition for the services that support its most vulnerable children and families in providing care and protection.


You will be working with a highly committed workforce, partners and colleagues striving to deliver even better outcomes for children and young people in the borough and to be the best they can be.


We recognise that our staff are our most important resource and asset. In Tameside, our values underpin our practice and behaviours and they are at the heart of everything that we do:

Support Trust Respect Integrity Value Difference Engage
You will receive regular supervision and work in a supportive culture where we are ambitious about delivering an effective service. We listen to our staff and act on feedback in a variety ways through having regular team meetings, employee engagement sessions and staff surveys.


Our comprehensive workforce development programme provides lots of opportunities to help you grow and develop your career. The peer support you will also receive is second to none.

About You

You will be motivated, committed and passionate about making a difference to the lives of children, young people and families. Amongst other things you will be an effective leader with a determination to raise standards and achieve improved outcomes. You will have an excellent knowledge of the Fostering Services Regulations, National Minimum Standards and experience of improvement work within fostering services.


You will uphold high standards of practice, and through quality assurance and effective performance management, you will ensure we are working at our best. You will collaborate with others to create the best results in service provision for children who are placed in foster care.

About Us

Message from Jill Colbert, Director of Children's Services


"I joined the council at the beginning of 2025 and was instantly charmed by the warmth, openness, and energy of colleagues.

"I came to Tameside for one reason; because I know we can do fantastic things for our families here.

"We're a children's service on a significant improvement journey. We know what needs to be different for our children and families and we're ambitious to deliver that change.

"We have a growing range of specialist services for children, where you can test and grow your skills and practice. We have a Social Work Academy that is led by people who bring passion to learning and who know that the DCS' of the future are right in front of them. We are working on our progression pathways so that staying in Tameside is rewarded and recognised. We have investment in innovation and improvement from the council so that we can grow services and support for families that we can sustain, from family hubs through to complex safeguarding.

"I am so certain that we can build a proud, inclusive and safe climate for great practice to flourish in Tameside. I'd love you to join me on the journey here at Team Tameside."



We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. This position is subject to Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure Procedures.


This post is classified as being in a professional job category. As such the grade for the job has a professional grade development bar which employees can progress through subject to meeting the following criteria:


1. Relevant professional qualification for the job role at Level 6 or above AND a management qualification, AND


2. Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in the role, AND


3. Maintained membership of a regulated body where this is a requirement to practice in the role where applicable, AND


4. Professional standards practised to the highest expected level.

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the 'About You' or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.


We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.


Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed here


For further information about this role please contact the recruiting manager on 0161 342 4318 or laura.smith4@tameside.gov.uk