Independent Fostering Panel Members

South Central Region | Based - South East England | Self-employed | Independent Role

Help us make a lasting difference to children's lives.

The Children's Family Trust is a well-established Registered Charity and Independent Fostering Agency, dedicated to providing safe, stable and loving family environments for children and young people.

We offer a wide range of foster placements, with a particular focus on Family for Life placements. We believe our Foster Carers are our greatest asset and are committed to providing them with the highest levels of support and remuneration possible.

Working in partnership with Local Authority Social Workers, we strive to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, secure and nurturing family environment.

The Opportunity

We are looking to recruit self-employed, independent Fostering Panel Members to join our South Central team, covering the South East of England.

Our fostering panels are held face-to-face in our offices in Waterlooville, rather than virtually, so applicants must be able to travel to attend panel meetings in person. Geographical location is therefore an important consideration.

Who We Are Looking For

We welcome applications from people with a wide variety of professional and personal backgrounds.

You might have experience in:

• Health and social care
• Education
• Children's services
• Social work or family support
• Personal experience of foster care or the care system

Previous fostering panel experience is not essential. We value different perspectives, professional knowledge and lived experience.

The essential requirement is that you have experience, either professionally or personally (or both), of the placement of children in foster care.

What Will You Contribute?

As an independent Panel Member, you will play an important role in helping us maintain high standards of foster care and safeguarding.

You will contribute to all aspects of fostering panel functions, including:

• Making recommendations on the assessment and approval of prospective Foster Carers.
• Participating in foster carer reviews.
• Considering recommendations relating to the termination of foster carer approvals.
• Carefully reviewing and evaluating written reports and supporting documentation.
• Bringing informed, balanced and constructive professional judgement to panel discussions.

You will need to demonstrate a thorough and robust approach to assessing written information, alongside the ability to contribute thoughtfully and confidently to discussions.

Why Join The Children's Family Trust?

This is an opportunity to use your knowledge, skills and experience to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of children and young people.

As an independent Panel Member, you will help ensure that decisions about foster care are carefully considered, child-centred and focused on achieving the best possible outcomes.

Your experience could help shape a child's future.

Interested?

If you have relevant experience and would like to become part of a dedicated team committed to making a difference, we would love to hear from you.

Package

£40 per hour plus a travel allowance of 45p per mile. You would be need to be available to attend Panel meetings as required during the year.  (Our Panel's are planned throughout the year so you would have advance notice to attend). 

The Children’s Family Trust is an equal opportunities employer and committed to promoting the welfare and safeguarding of children, ensuring that they are kept safe. As you will be in an environment which involves child protection and working with Looked After Children, this role is subject to a clean enhanced DBS and satisfactory references.  

• Please view the Role Specification Independent Panel Member document