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North East Lincolnshire Council are looking for Independent panel members to join the Foster panel. Panels are held twice a month and they are currently seeking enthusiastic individuals who have an interest in developing their own knowledge around fostering and supporting the children in our area by growing our fostering community.

The Fostering Panel membership consists of a range of people who have personal or professional experience relevant to fostering.  The ideal candidate will have experience of working with children or from a range of organisations within the community who have an interest in fostering or community-based work. Individuals must be able to demonstrate an understanding of current legislation, policy and good practice in relation to fostering matters. They are also interested in candidates who are care experienced; those with experience of being a foster carer for family and friends (Kinship carers) and those with experience or background within the Police, Education and Health.

As a member of Fostering Panel, you will:

• Attend Fostering Panel meetings and take responsibility for participating in the making of a recommendation as to whether or not a person is suitable to be a foster carer by drawing on both personal and professional knowledge and experience.
• Read the electronically circulated papers carefully before the meeting and attend the meeting prepared with questions and contribute to the panel discussion.
• Participate with other members in advising on policy and procedural matters as required.
• Address diversity issues and promote anti-discriminatory practice.
• Safeguard the confidentiality of all panel discussions.
• Participate in the annual review of panel membership
• Participate in induction and annual training

NELC provide:

• Full induction
• Annual training
• Annual review of Independent Panel Members
• The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check.

As NELC is a foster friendly business, the opportunity to undertake a panel member role alongside your day-to-day role can be discussed further with your manager – additional information around the role of a panel member is attached, along with an application form which can be returned to Kayleigh Forrington Practice Supervisor at kayleigh.forrington@nelincs.gov.uk or Service Lead Michelle Turner NELC Fostering Service at michelle.turner@nelincs.gov.uk.