Independent Chair of One Adoption Panels

Overview

As the Independent Chair, you will:

• Lead and facilitate Adoption Panel meetings across West Yorkshire.
• Ensure robust, evidence-informed recommendations about adopter approvals and child placements.
• Uphold statutory regulations and national minimum standards in every panel decision.
• Promote participation from all panel members, professionals, and applicants.
• Monitor the quality of reports and performance, and provide constructive feedback.
• Work closely with senior leaders to ensure continuous service improvement.

You will play a key role in ensuring that the voice and welfare of children remain central to all decision-making.

Job purpose

To chair the One Adoption Panel, enabling the panel to make professional, evidence-based recommendations regarding children and prospective adopters.

Responsibilities

• Act as a panel member and chair regular panel meetings.
• Read all panel papers critically and review minutes within agreed timescales.
• Ensure the panel operates within all relevant legislation, regulations, and guidance, including:
• The Children Act 1989
• Adoption and Children Act 2002
• Adoption Agency Regulations 2005
• National Minimum Standards for Adoption

• Operate in accordance with One Adoption policies and procedures.
• Facilitate the effective involvement of all participants, including panel members, social workers, advisors, applicants, children, young people, and birth family members, and work to achieve consensus in panel recommendations.
• Ensure the panel makes clear, sound, and well-evidenced recommendations regarding:
• Whether applicants are suitable to adopt.
• Whether a proposed match is in the best interests of the child.
• Whether a child should be placed for adoption (consensual adoption).
• Address other matters referred to the panel, including advice on adoption support, contact, and parental responsibility.

• Lead the panel in monitoring and commenting on the quality of reports and information presented.
• Meet regularly with senior managers and professional advisors to review panel practice and performance.
• Collaborate with the agency in managing panel membership.
• Approve the attendance of observers or other attendees at panel meetings, ensuring clarity regarding confidentiality and participation.
• Highlight significant practice or procedural issues arising from individual cases or general trends to the management of One Adoption.
• Stay up-to-date with developments in adoption and family placement practice, promoting continuous improvement and best practice within the panel and agency.
• Assist in identifying training needs for panel members and attend annual panel training sessions.
• Be available for discussions with Ofsted inspectors as required.

Accountability and other provisions

• Accountability: The Independent Chair is accountable to the Head of One Adoption and, on a day-to-day basis, to the Service Manager with lead responsibility for adoption panels and the Professional Advisors to the panels.
• Appointment will initially be for a three-year term, in accordance with the Adoption Agency Regulations.
• The appointment may be extended by mutual agreement.
• Receipt of two satisfactory personal references prior to commencement.
• Submission of a current Curriculum Vitae or completed application form.
• A notice period of one month is required from either party to terminate the agreement.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Significant experience in adoption and/or children social care at a senior level.
• Extensive experience of chairing complex meetings with professionalism and authority.
• Strong understanding of the legal and regulatory framework for adoption.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and facilitation skills.
• Integrity, impartiality, and a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• You will also be expected to engage in panel training and discussions with Ofsted inspectors if required.
• Additional Information: This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and the receipt of two satisfactory references.

Essential requirements

• Strong facilitation skills, ensuring the active involvement of all participants.
• High level of oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to summarise complex information clearly and succinctly.
• Ability to scrutinise reports, monitor performance, and constructively challenge practice.
• Effective problem-solving skills and a solution-focused approach.
• Ability to adopt a balanced, panel-focused perspective beyond personal views.
• Experience at middle or senior management level within social care, health, or a related field.
• Substantial experience in adoption practice.
• Extensive experience of chairing complex meetings in a professional setting
• Well-developed understanding of the roles of different professionals and agencies in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Strong working knowledge of legislation, regulations, and guidance related to adoption.
• Sound understanding of child development.
• Familiarity with key research findings on adoption outcomes for children, particularly ensuring that children\’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted.
• Strong commitment to the values and protocols of One Adoption.
• Clear commitment to the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Ability to command the respect and confidence of panel members, agency advisors, and professionals.
• Professional integrity, objectivity, and resilience.
• Skilled negotiator, able to manage sensitive or contentious discussions effectively.
• Restorative approach to managing conflict.
• Experience in managing resources, implementing policies, and overseeing organisational change.
• Working knowledge of attachment theory and its application to children who have experienced trauma or adverse life events.