Job Overview
Red Kite Fostering is seeking passionate, experienced and independent individuals to join our Fostering Panel as Independent Panel Members.
Based in Kington, Herefordshire, Red Kite Fostering is committed to providing safe, nurturing and supportive foster homes where children and young people can thrive.
As an Independent Panel Member, you will play an important role in ensuring that decisions about foster carers are made fairly, thoughtfully and with the best interests of children and young people at the heart of every decision.
You will contribute your professional knowledge, personal experience and independent judgement to panel discussions, providing constructive challenge and ensuring that appropriate safeguarding and regulatory standards are maintained.
This is a paid position, with remuneration to be discussed and agreed during the interview process. Most Panel Meetings are also virtual via Microsoft Teams.
We are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience across a range of professional and personal backgrounds.
Duties
As an Independent Panel Member, your responsibilities will include:
- Attending scheduled fostering panel meetings and preparing thoroughly by reviewing panel papers in advance.
- Considering applications from prospective foster carers and making recommendations regarding their suitability to foster.
- Considering foster carer reviews, changes to approval terms and other matters referred to panel.
- Contributing independent, objective and balanced views to panel discussions.
- Providing constructive challenge where appropriate and ensuring that decisions are evidence-based.
- Keeping the welfare, safety, development and best interests of children and young people at the centre of discussions.
- Drawing upon your own professional or personal experience to contribute to informed decision-making.
- Considering information from a range of sources and identifying key issues, risks and strengths.
- Respectfully challenging assumptions and ensuring that different perspectives are considered.
- Maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information appropriately.
- Working within relevant legislation, statutory guidance, National Minimum Standards and Red Kite Fostering's policies and procedures.
- Participating in training and development relevant to the role.
Requirements
We are interested in hearing from applicants from a variety of professional and personal backgrounds.
You do not necessarily need previous fostering panel experience. What matters is that you can demonstrate relevant knowledge, experience, sound judgement and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.
We particularly welcome applications from:
Social Workers
- Qualified Social Workers with a minimum of 3 years' post-qualifying experience, preferably with experience in children's social care.
- Experience of fostering, looked-after children, child protection, permanence or family placement work is particularly desirable.
- Registered with Social Work England where applicable.
Nurses / Doctors
- Nurses, doctors or other appropriately qualified healthcare professionals.
- Experience of working with children, young people, families or vulnerable individuals is desirable.
- Knowledge of children's health, development, attachment, trauma or additional needs would be particularly valuable.
School Professionals
We welcome applications from experienced education professionals, including:
- Teachers
- Headteachers and senior school leaders
- Designated Safeguarding Leads
- SENCOs
- Other professionals with substantial experience working with children and young people.
Experience of supporting children with additional needs, safeguarding concerns, trauma or experience of care is desirable.
Solicitors
- Qualified solicitors or legal professionals with relevant experience.
- Knowledge or experience of family law, children's law, safeguarding or public law would be particularly beneficial.
- An understanding of the legal framework surrounding children in care and fostering is desirable.
Care Professionals
We welcome applications from professionals with significant experience in social care, residential childcare, safeguarding or supporting vulnerable children and adults.
Relevant backgrounds may include:
- Residential childcare
- Children's homes
- Social care
- Safeguarding
- Youth work
- Family support
- Care management
- Other relevant care professions.
Care Experience – Previously Looked After
We particularly value the contribution of people with lived experience.
Applications are welcomed from individuals who:
- Have previously been looked after themselves.
- Have experience of the care system.
Police
We welcome applications from serving or former police officers and other policing professionals with relevant experience.
Experience in areas such as:
- Child protection
- Safeguarding
- Public protection
- Criminal investigations
- Vulnerable children and adults
- Domestic abuse
- Missing children
- Multi-agency safeguarding
Foster Carers
Current or former foster carers with relevant experience are encouraged to apply.
Your first-hand understanding of fostering can provide an important and valuable perspective when considering the suitability and support needs of prospective foster carers.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they can approach panel discussions objectively and independently.
What We're Looking For
Regardless of your professional background, we are looking for individuals who can:
- Put children and young people at the centre of their decision-making.
- Listen carefully and consider different perspectives.
- Analyse information and identify key issues.
- Make balanced and independent judgements.
- Constructively challenge information or professional opinion when appropriate.
- Communicate confidently and respectfully.
- Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
- Recognise safeguarding concerns and understand the importance of risk assessment.
- Work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary panel.
- Demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice.
Why Join Red Kite Fostering?
This is an opportunity to use your professional knowledge, personal experience and independent judgement to make a genuine difference to children's lives.
As a Panel Member, you will have an important role in helping ensure that children are placed with foster carers who are able to provide them with safe, stable and nurturing homes.
You will become part of a multi-disciplinary panel where different experiences and perspectives are valued.
If you believe you have the experience, insight and commitment to contribute to Red Kite Fostering's Fostering Panel, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today to join Red Kite Fostering as an Independent Panel Member.
Benefits:
- Paid volunteer time
- Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Kington HR5 3DQ
