Independent Foster Panel Member
Job Summary
Contract Type:
Casual / Seasonal / Bank / Permanently Variable hours
Working Pattern:
Please see advert text
Advert Start Date:
26/08/2025
Advert End Date:
Closed for applications on 23/09/2025 23:59
Salary:
Fee payable £50 per panel
Allowances:
Travel expenses covered
Job Category:
Social Care - Children Service
Employment Location:
Panels are normally held in Green Lane Council Offices, Spennymoor, but could be at any central Council office space within County Durham.
Further Information
Do you have experience, either professionally or personally or both, of children being cared for away from their birth family?
Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of children who are care experienced?
We are looking for new independent panel members who can bring a new perspective to our Fostering Panel. We are very keen to hear from anyone is:
- Care experienced
- Trauma informed
- Has experience of fostering or adopting children
- Has experience of difference such as ethnicity, religion, heritage, gender, disability, and sexuality
- Has experience of health challenges
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
You will play a vital role in the assessment and approval of foster carers, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interests of children and young people. You will contribute to the fostering panel’s function of quality assurance, safeguarding, and promoting high standards of care.
Your Key Responsibilities will be:
Preparation and Participation
To read all panel papers thoroughly before each meeting.
To attend panel meetings prepared to discuss cases and contribute meaningfully.
Decision-Making
To declare an interest before discussion begins if you have previous knowledge of the case to be presented to panel.
To participate in making recommendations on each case, using personal lived experience and professional insight.
Attendance
To attend scheduled panel meetings as agreed.
To be available for additional panels when possible.
Policy and Practice
To contribute to discussions on fostering policy and procedures.
Equality and Confidentiality
To ensure that all those attending Panel are treated with respect and courtesy.
To promote anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice and address diversity and cultural issues.
To maintain confidentiality of all panel materials and discussions.
Training and Development
To attend induction and a minimum of one training day annually.
To engage in the annual review of your panel membership.
Conduct
To adhere to Durham County Council’s code of conduct.
For more information please see the attached job description and person specification.
HOW TO APPLY
We encourage you to contact Helen Milliken, Fostering Recruitment and Retention Team Manager, for an informal discussion about the role. You can contact Helen by e-mail at helen.milliken@durham.gov.uk
When you are ready to apply please send your CV to helen.milliken@durham.gov.uk with a brief covering e-mail explaining your interest in the role
If your application is successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.
Please note
This job is closed for applications.