Role: Independent Adoption Panel Vice-Chair
Panel Locations: Virtual
Panel Rates of Pay: £500 per full-day panel attended (£250 per half-day) + travel expenses at 45p/mile
Adoption Panel Frequency: Monthly as standard on Thursday with potential panels to take through the year as required according to the agency's volume of applications being brought to panel

About Us

Adopters for Adoption is a national UK adoption agency, based in Worcestershire. The agency was set up to not only provide adoption services to those looking to become adoptive parents, but to also have a positive impact on the way those people are supported in the adoption process.

Role Details

Adopters for Adoption is recruiting and an exciting opportunity has arisen for an Independent Adoption Panel Vice-Chair to join our established Adoption Panel.

Panel Vice Chair's Responsibilities

To satisfy the requirements as outlined in Adopters for Adoption central list agreement
To ensure that the panel operates within the relevant law, regulation and guidance
To ensure that the panel operates within the policies of Adopters for Adoption
To prepare for each panel meeting by reading all panel papers carefully and critically
To chair meetings of the panel and to ensure that all those attending panel are treated with respect and courtesy
To respect at all times the confidential nature of the agency's work
To address diversity issues and to promote anti-discriminatory practice at all times
To facilitate panel members to consider the information presented to them before making their recommendation, reaching a consensus wherever possible
To manage the process of identifying the questions which panel will explore with social workers and/or applicants and agreeing who will ask those questions
To meet with applicants prior to them joining the panel, to explain the process
To ensure that the panel is clear about the reasons for its recommendations and that these are recorded in the minutes
Where there is a split or contentious panel recommendation, to facilitate each panel member in turn to explain the reason for her/his views and to ensure that these are formally recorded in the minutes
To enable those attending panel to contribute effectively (e.g. enabling social workers to present their case in a constructive manner)
To ensure that the minutes of the panel are accurate and are signed and returned to the agency in a timely manner
To attend meetings of the Independent Review Mechanism if required
To facilitate the panels in their role of monitoring the quality of work presented to the panel
To feedback any concerns about the management of cases through the appropriate departmental channels
To attend the quarterly review panel meetings to review the management and the functioning of the panel
To attend two panel training days each year and complete all mandatory training as identified by the agency
To keep abreast of current practice issues in adoption, fostering and other permanent placements and seek to promote best practice within the panel and the agency
To assist the agency to identify training needs within the panels and the agency
To take part in the interviewing of prospective panel members and advise the agency on appointments to the panels
To assist in the induction of new panel members
Together with the agency adviser, to undertake the annual review of the performance of panel members
To bring to the attention of the panel manager, situations in which panel members are not meeting the requirements of the central list agreement for panel members

Requirements

Experience, either professionally or personally or both, of the placement of children in adoptive/foster families and of children being cared for away from their birth family
Extensive experience of chairing child care meetings e.g. panels, child protection conferences
Sound understanding of the adoption and fostering process and relevant legislation, guidance, regulations, and standards
Knowledge of the importance of partnership in adoption and fostering practice
Understanding, knowledge, and experience relating to children and young people and their needs throughout their development
Understanding of the role of adoption and fostering in safeguarding children
Knowledge of couple relationships and relationships within wider networks
Authority and expertise to chair panels, ensuring that the business is covered and that the panel operates in accordance with regulations, guidance, and the policies and procedures of the agency
Ability to assist panels in the effective use of time
Ability to analyse and explain complex information
Ability to identify and summarise key issues clearly and succinctly
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to enable all participants to contribute effectively
Ability to monitor the performance of panel members
Ability to ask questions that are relevant, sensitive, diplomatic, and appropriate
Ability to manage the expression of strongly held but possibly conflicting views by panel members, and to help the panel reach a recommendation that takes account of all of these views
Ability to scrutinise, monitor, and challenge practice
A commitment to safeguarding and the need to offer a safe re-parenting experience
A commitment to promoting children's welfare
A commitment to children retaining contact with members of their birth family if this is in their best interests
A commitment to keeping children within their own family or community where this is possible
A commitment to fostering and adoption as a way of meeting a child's need
Recognition of the lifelong impact of fostering and adoption on all parties
An awareness of the richness of different kinds of families and their potential for meeting children's needs
An appreciation of the impact of loss and separation on both adults and children
An understanding and knowledge of families and how they are affected by change

Other Requirements

Must not be a current employee of the agency
A valuing of diversity in relation to issues of ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, and sexuality
Commitment to continuing personal and professional developments to maintain and update knowledge and skills
Satisfactory DBS disclosure
An understanding of, and a commitment to, the need for confidentiality
A willingness to increase knowledge and understanding of issues through reading, discussion and training

What We Offer

Full induction
Annual training
Annual appraisal with the Head of Service

For an informal discussion about this post please contact Jane Lees on 07826 902602.

To be considered for this position please submit an application and we will be in touch.

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, the cost of which will be met by Adopters for Adoption.

Adopters for Adoption is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

Adopters for Adoption is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.

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Independent Adoption Panel Vice-Chair