Job Description

Job Category: Social Care
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Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!
We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK's first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
Main Purpose of the job
Lewisham Fostering Service is looking to recruit a suitably qualified and experienced professional as an Independent Chair for Lewisham's Fostering Panel. The role of Chair is crucial to our success in improving outcomes for children in care.
The panel provides independent oversight of the recruitment, assessment and review of foster carer's, connected persons and Supported Lodgings Providers and makes reasoned recommendations about their suitability to foster or provide support to young adults as SLP's. The panel also considers and makes recommendations on long-term fostering matches.
Responsibilities and Personal Duties:

• Provide leadership to the Panel by ensuring that all items of business are covered during panel meetings and that the Panel operates in accordance with regulations and the policies and procedures of the agency.
• Read all the relevant paperwork prior to the Panel meeting and inform the Panel Adviser as necessary if the reports are adequate for submission to panel.
• To facilitate the active participation of all Panel members in contributing to the Panel's consideration of cases and to the making of clear and well evidenced recommendations with the reasons for these.
• Ensure that Panel business will be conducted in a timely, respectful, sensitive and non-discriminatory manner and to address diversity issues and to promote anti-discriminatory practice at all times.
• Provide quality assurance feedback to the Fostering Service provider on the quality of reports being presented to panel.
• Ensure that the written minutes of the Panel meetings are accurate and clearly cover the key issues and views expressed by Panel members and record the reasons for its recommendation.
• Advise the relevant social workers of the recommendations of the Panel.
• Ensure Panel minutes are agreed, signed and shared with Agency Decision Maker within timescale.
• Ensure that the number, skills, knowledge and experience of persons on the central list are sufficient to enable the fostering service to constitute Panels that are equipped to make competent recommendations to the Fostering Service provider, taking into account the nature of the children and carers that the service caters for.
• To support the development of LBL Fostering Service through strong links to the Panel Advisor, Fostering Management Team and the Agency Decision Maker.
• Hold an overview of Lewisham Fostering Service provision, providing feedback on the quality of reports submitted and areas for development, which will be discussed either at appraisal meetings or at meetings with the Fostering Adviser and Fostering Group Manager.
• In addition to chairing the Fostering Panel, the Chair is expected to attend Panel training events and relevant meetings to include twice yearly Business Meetings and quarterly meetings with the Agency Decision Maker to ensure that Panel function is appropriately reviewed and training issues for members are identified.
• Take part in an annual appraisal and also undertake the annual appraisal of Panel Members with the Fostering Panel Adviser.
• To be involved in the recruitment and appointment of new Panel members and in any consideration about terminating the appointment of a Panel member.
• Hold an overview of Lewisham Fostering Service provision, providing feedback on the quality of reports submitted and areas for development, which will be discussed either at appraisal meetings or at meetings with the Fostering Adviser and Fostering Group Manager.
• Complete the annual Panel Chairs Report and present to the Corporate Parenting board.
• Attend meetings with relevant managers as required to discuss issues relating to policy, strategy and performance.
• Ensure managers are aware of any issues of concern and liaise with the Agency Decision Maker.
• To safeguard the confidentiality of all Panel papers and Panel discussions.

What we are looking for
The Independent Panel Chair selected will be a qualified social worker with at least five years post-qualification experience and registered with Social Work England. We are looking for a competent and accomplished professional who has considerable expertise in chairing complex meetings and the skills to effectively manage the fostering panel.
Location
Panels take place on Thursdays once or twice a month and are held face to face at 45 Bromley Road, Catford SE6 2UA.
Special conditions
DO NOT APPLY VIA THIS WEBSITE

• Relevant social work qualification and registration with SWE is required.
• The job is subject to an enhanced DBS check

For an informal discussion about this job and to apply, please contact
Please click to view the and Person Specification
Diversity
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at
The Council has a dedicated employment support service, , which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email and an advisor will be in touch with you.
The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.
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