Job Description

About MAARS Fostering

At the heart of MAARS Fostering, we uphold values that promote respect, safeguarding, and inclusivity. We are committed to protecting the rights of every child, ensuring they receive the highest standard of foster care. Our aim is to empower children to achieve happiness, stability, and a secure future. We support our foster carers in providing care that is respectful, compassionate, and centred on the individual needs of each child. We use a trauma-informed approach to help foster carers understand and mitigate the effects of trauma, recognising how early experiences can impact a child's development, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing.

We are based in Erith, a vibrant and welcoming community, we are proud to serve children, families, and foster carers across the region.

Please note:

We are currently in the process of agency Registration from Ofsted, waiting to receive our outcome.

At MAARS Fostering, we offer a career path that is truly yours to own, with opportunities for growth, training, and development.

About the Position

MAARS Fostering is looking to appoint new Independent Panel members with a background in healthcare or child health to join our multidisciplinary fostering panel. This is an opportunity to make a significant contribution to safeguarding children and supporting high-quality foster care through critical, balanced, and child-centred decision-making.

Panel members will be placed on a rota and participate in scheduled panel meetings. Full training will be provided before you take up your role on the panel.

Purpose of the Role:

Fostering Panel Members play a key role in ensuring that all panel processes align with best practices in safer recruitment, with a strong focus on promoting the safety and welfare of children. Panel members are expected to contribute to balanced, evidence-based recommendations regarding the suitability, approval, and continued registration of foster carers. Each member must apply sound judgment while upholding statutory guidance and fostering regulations. Panel members are also responsible for promoting and maintaining the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that all applicants are treated fairly, with respect, and without bias. Their role supports high standards of safeguarding, transparency, and accountability across the fostering service.

The main responsibilities of the role are:

Attend Panel Meetings: Participate in fostering panel meetings, reviewing foster carer applications, reviews, and any other relevant casework. Evaluate and Make Recommendations: Consider the assessment reports and other documentation, providing an independent and balanced perspective, and making recommendations about the suitability of applicants to be approved as foster carers. Uphold Child-Centred Approach: Ensure that all decisions and recommendations prioritise the best interests, safety, and well-being of children and young people. Provide Expertise: Offer professional expertise in the areas of child protection, social work or law, contributing to the overall understanding of each case. Ensure Compliance: Ensure that all fostering decisions are in compliance with relevant statutory and regulatory requirements, including fostering regulations, national standards, and MAARS Fostering's policies. Participate in Training: Attend regular training and updates to maintain an understanding of relevant legislation, policies, and best practices in fostering. Provide Constructive Feedback: Provide feedback to foster carers and MAARS Fostering to support their ongoing development and improve overall service delivery.

Person Specification:

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

Professional background in health, such as paediatrics, nursing, public health, or child/adolescent mental health.

Experience working with children and young people, preferably within child protection or fostering contexts. Strong understanding of child development, safeguarding, and fostering legislation. Excellent communication and analytical skills. Ability to work objectively and respectfully within a diverse panel team. Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and child-focused values. Capacity to maintain confidentiality and impartiality.

Desirable:

Previous experience as a fostering panel member or in a similar role. Understanding of the challenges faced by foster carers and children in care. Ability to offer constructive criticism and support to foster carers.

Time Commitment:

Panel meetings typically occur [monthly/bi-monthly], with preparation time required beforehand. There may also be occasional additional meetings or training sessions.

Why Join MAARS Fostering?

Joining MAARS Fostering means becoming part of a compassionate, professional, and supportive team. We are dedicated to ensuring that every child in care receives the best possible fostering experience. We offer a positive and dynamic work environment where your expertise will be valued, and you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people in care.

Applying for a Role at MAARS Fostering:

Thank you for your interest.

As part of our Ofsted-compliant recruitment process, please complete the form below to support shortlisting.

Copy and paste this link into your browser to access the form:

https://forms.office.com/e/MJLrfpzACU

We'll contact shortlisted applicants for next steps.

Thank you for your interest in MAARS Fostering.

Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 6 months

Pay: 30.00 per hour

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Erith DA18 4AL

Application deadline: 31/07/2025
Reference ID: MAARS-JOB-HR-2025-015