What does this role entail?
As a Panel Advisor / Advanced Practitioner you will:
- Have a good understanding of the Fostering processes and legislation.
- Have a passion to promote positive outcomes for all Children in Care, ensuring you have a good understanding of the diverse needs of children in care, including how their Foster Carers can support them to be the best version of themselves from childhood, into adulthood and beyond.
- Quality Assurance of fostering panel bundles, ensuring that all documentation is in line with Dorset Council's expectations and regulations.
- Be able to participate in all panel discussions and help to guide the contribution of panel attendees.
- You will read all paperwork fully, ensuring that you have a sound overview of the information being presented to you, and can support with well-evidenced recommendations for children in care.
- You will safeguard the confidentiality of all Panel papers and Panel discussions.
- You will support the Panel Chair, ensuring that all items of business are covered and that the panel operates in accordance with regulations and the policies and procedures of Dorset Council.
- You will support the Panel Attendees to promote a positive environment which promotes anti-discriminatory practice at all times.
- Help guide panel discussions for children in care, ensuring that all Fostering Panel members are making child-focused decisions and recommendations based on the National Minimum Standard (NMS) or the Training Support & Development Standards (TSDS).
- Support the Panel Chair where required, supporting with preparing for panel meetings and identifying any significant issues which require support and oversight.
- You will support with the induction of new panel members, support other panel members to feel that they are treated with respect and courtesy. You will also support with annual appraises of panel members.
- You will be expected to hold a small case load of Fostering Families alongside your role as Panel Advisor.
- You may need to attend any relevant meetings which require the oversight of an advanced practitioner to chair the meeting or where a social worker may need to be supported by you.
- To attend meetings coordinated by the Principal social worker as required.
- To support the development of staff through delivering an induction process; supporting NQSWs and identifying common themes across the children’s directorate which need to be addressed positively through a joint training initiative delivered by the advanced practitioners
- To be responsible for completing case audits on individual social workers case files and to participate in safeguarding and other types of audits
NB: The duties and responsibilities of this post are not restrictive, and the post holder may be required on occasion to undertake other duties. This will not substantially change the nature of the post.
What’s in it for you:
As a Fostering Panel Advisor you will be able to support Dorset's foster carers and help them achieve great outcomes for the children they care for. You will also have the opportunity to support the Fostering Panel and support with positive outcomes for children in the care of mainstream Foster Carers, as well as Kinship Carers.
You will make a difference by ensuring that the young people Dorset Council are caring for are kept close to their families and communities and are provided with excellent care from well supported carers.
Dorset Council have implemented the Mockingbird family model, and you will have the opportunity consider, and enhance this, as part of your role.
You will have access to full and dynamic training opportunities, and will have a thorough induction programme, including training .
You will have access to 1:1 support from Team Managers/ Service Manager within the team if required.
You will have access to Dorset's staff wellbeing service.
About you:
The successful applicant must have a passion for children and young people, excellent organisational skills, be able to meet deadlines, have excellent communication skills and the ability to analyse situations accurately and produce evidence based decisions/ and hold a sound knowledge of safeguarding.
You will be a qualified social worker who is registered with Social Work England for more than three years. Have a clear enhanced DBS check Have a clean, full driving licence, enabling you to fulfil travel requirements of the post Able to work flexibly, including some evenings and weekends.
Have experience of working with foster carers/ children in care in a statutory social care environment.
Have a strong working knowledge of child care legislation, statutory guidance and practice
Have ability to create an environment for social work practice to flourish.