Fostering Panel Member

Surrey County Council is seeking to appoint independent members to sit on our Fostering Panel. These roles are independent from Surrey County Council and paid on a set day rate basis of £300 for a full day or £150 for half a day. This rate is inclusive of preparation time and work.

As an independent member your work may be a combination of virtual fostering panels as well as some office working from our Quadrant Court office in Woking or Woodhatch Place in Reigate. At interview you will be asked about which location/s you are able to attend.

There is flexibility in how many panels you attend per year and again, this can be discussed further at interview.

The Fostering panel has oversight and makes recommendations on the recruitment, assessment and review of foster carers, including connected persons, and long-term matches.

Panel members must be committed to supporting our aim to provide high quality foster care and achieving the best possible outcomes for our children.

We invite applications from candidates who have previous experience professionally and/or personally with looked after children and fostering.

You do not need experience of sitting on fostering panels, as long as you have transferrable skills; for example, attending multi-disciplinary meetings and a passion for supporting vulnerable children.

We are in particular need of panel members with the following areas of expertise:

• Personal experience of being a Connected Persons Foster Carer or Special Guardian
• Those who work in Education
• Those who work with children who have experienced trauma and loss (for example Counsellor, Therapist, etc)
• Qualified Social Workers

Panel members are also provided with the opportunity to attend training relevant to the role; as well as providing an annual training day, we also provide access to online learning.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 14/05/2023 with interviews to follow.

An enhanced DBS ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children’s and Adults’ Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Contact Details

To arrange an informal discussion please contact Maria Griffiths via email maria.griffiths@surreycc.gov.uk.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.