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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our panel to make impactful decisions for children in care.
- Company: By the Bridge, a values-led fostering organisation.
- Benefits: Ongoing training, supportive colleagues, and the chance to make a difference.
- Why this job: Help shape the future of children by ensuring quality foster care.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care or related fields, strong communication skills.
- Other info: Flexible virtual role with opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Virtual
Contract: Independent
Organisation: By the Bridge
Closing Date: Open
Make a Meaningful Impact – Become a Fostering Panel Member
Are you passionate about improving the lives of children and young people? Do you have the professional insight, personal experience, or lived understanding to contribute to high-quality, child-centred fostering decisions? By the Bridge is seeking committed, thoughtful, and motivated Fostering Panel Members to join our independent fostering panel. This is a rewarding opportunity to play a key role in safeguarding children and ensuring our foster parents can provide stable, therapeutic and nurturing homes.
About the Role
As a Fostering Panel Member, you will provide independent oversight, scrutiny, and recommendations on:
- The suitability and approval of prospective foster parents
- Terms of approval and matching considerations
- Annual reviews of existing foster parents
- Allegations, complaints, and practice concerns
- Any matters referred to panel requiring independent advice or discussion
You will help ensure that every decision is grounded in safeguarding, therapeutic thinking, and the best outcomes for children.
What You’ll Do
- Read and evaluate detailed assessments, annual reviews, and reports
- Attend monthly panel meetings and contribute to informed, evidence-based decision-making
- Offer balanced challenge and constructive feedback to support high-quality practice
- Promote diversity, equality, and anti-discriminatory decision-making
- Uphold confidentiality, professional integrity, and safeguarding principles
- Participate in training, annual appraisals, and panel development activities
- Work within By the Bridge’s therapeutic fostering model and organisational values
What We’re Looking For
Essential
- Understanding of safeguarding and the needs of children in care
- Experience in fostering, adoption, SEN, social care, education, health, youth justice, or a related field – professionally or personally
- Ability to analyse complex and sometimes sensitive information
- Strong communication, listening, and interpersonal skills
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and anti-discriminatory practice
- Professional integrity, reliability, and the ability to work well in a group
- Willingness to engage in training, reflection, and ongoing learning
Desirable
- Experience as a foster carer, adoptive parent, or lived experience of the care system
- Previous service on a fostering or adoption panel
- Knowledge of fostering legislation, National Minimum Standards, and relevant regulations
Why Join Us?
- Make a direct, meaningful difference to children’s lives
- Be part of a therapeutic, values-led fostering organisation
- Work alongside skilled, supportive and passionate panel colleagues
- Ongoing training and development provided
Ready to Apply? If you share our commitment to providing positive, stable, and transformative care for children, we would love to hear from you.
Fostering Panel Member in Stockport employer: CareTech
Contact Detail:
CareTech Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Panel Member in Stockport
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the fostering and social care sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on a panel member opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Brush up on your knowledge of safeguarding principles and fostering legislation. Think about how your experiences align with the role and be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for improving children's lives shine through. Share why you care about fostering and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining By the Bridge and making a difference in the lives of children.
We think you need these skills to ace Fostering Panel Member in Stockport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for improving the lives of children and young people shine through. We want to see your commitment to making a difference, so share any relevant experiences that highlight this.
Be Specific: Use specific examples from your background to demonstrate your understanding of safeguarding and the needs of children in care. We love seeing how your personal or professional experiences align with what we’re looking for.
Keep It Professional: While we appreciate a friendly tone, remember to maintain professionalism in your application. Highlight your integrity and reliability, as these qualities are crucial for a Fostering Panel Member.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this rewarding opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at CareTech
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your understanding of safeguarding and the needs of children in care. Familiarise yourself with fostering legislation and the therapeutic fostering model that By the Bridge uses. This will show that you're not just interested, but also knowledgeable about the role.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your passion for improving the lives of children and young people shine through. Share personal experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to child-centred decision-making. This can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Complex Cases
Prepare to analyse and discuss complex and sensitive information. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've had to provide balanced feedback or challenge decisions. This will demonstrate your ability to contribute to informed, evidence-based decision-making.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Integrity
Highlight your ability to work well in a group and your commitment to professional integrity. Be ready to talk about how you uphold confidentiality and promote equality and diversity in your work. This aligns perfectly with the values of By the Bridge.
