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- Tasks: Join our panel to help place children in loving families and support their needs.
- Company: PACT, a leading independent adoption charity in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive pay per session, plus expenses, with online panel meetings.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on children's lives and champion inclusive values.
- Qualifications: Understanding of the adoption process and experience in chairing meetings.
- Other info: We welcome diverse backgrounds and perspectives to enrich our panel.
PACT is one of the UK’s leading independent adoption charities, placing children with secure and loving families and supporting them with specialist therapeutic support. Our external Adoption Panel Members play a vital role at PACT by carefully considering applications from those wishing to become adoptive parents.
We are currently seeking an independent Adoption Panel Member who can also act in the capacity of Adoption Panel Vice Chair when required, to ensure our panel makes fair, informed recommendation outcomes to a high quality standard. Panel sessions are held online. You will bring an understanding of the adoption process, gained from professional or personal experience, and will be competently skilled in chairing complex meetings. You’ll be capable of facilitating active participation and ensure the panel operates within a clear regulatory and policy framework.
With an awareness of the richness of different kinds of families and their potential for meeting children’s needs, we would love to hear from you if you can bring different experiences, knowledge and perspectives to our panel member group. We are actively working to ensure that equality and inclusion is embedded in everything that we do. It is central to our work with vulnerable children and families, and championed by our community. However, we know there is more we can do. We want to do all we can for our service users, and we want everyone at PACT to feel a sense of belonging.
To support this aim, we are working proactively to develop a panel member group that is representative of our diverse service users, volunteer community and our wider eco‑system. We also know the value of having panel members who champion inclusive values and bring a wide variety of perspectives to our organisation. We welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and experience to apply for this role.
If you believe you can contribute to the skills and diversity of our panel as an Independent Panel Member, and act as an Independent Adoption Panel Vice Chair when required, please apply today to join a dedicated team who are part of something truly meaningful. We look forward to hearing from you!
Independent Adoption Panel Members are subject to PACT’s safer recruitment pre‑appointment enquiries, including a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). The role description provides information on what our safer recruitment enquiries include and the level of DBS required to work in the role.
Job location: Panel sessions are held online. Training sessions based in Reading and London. All opportunities with PACT are based in the UK.
Pay Rate: Approximately 2 to 4 panel sessions per year as Vice Chair with a payment rate of £400 per panel, and 4 to 5 sessions as a Panel Member with a payment rate of £200 per panel, plus reasonable expenses incurred.
Interviews will be held on: Wednesday 17 December 2025. The time commitment will be approximately 2 to 4 panel sessions per year as Vice Chair, and 4 to 5 sessions as a Panel Member. Attendance at 2 training sessions per year is required. Early applications are encouraged as we may review and appoint on an earlier basis if a successful candidate is secured.
VACANCY: PACT – Adoption Panel Member and Panel Vice Chair in Reading employer: ocva.org
Contact Detail:
ocva.org Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land VACANCY: PACT – Adoption Panel Member and Panel Vice Chair in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the adoption and charity sectors. Let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities like the Adoption Panel Member role at PACT. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those online panel sessions! Familiarise yourself with the adoption process and the specific needs of children and families. This will not only boost your confidence but also show that you’re genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your unique perspective! When you get the chance to chat with the panel, share your experiences and insights. PACT values diversity, so don’t hold back on what makes you stand out as a candidate.
✨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 a team that’s dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and families.
We think you need these skills to ace VACANCY: PACT – Adoption Panel Member and Panel Vice Chair in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Adoption: When writing your application, let your passion for adoption shine through! Share any personal or professional experiences that have shaped your understanding of the adoption process. We want to see how your unique perspective can contribute to our panel.
Highlight Your Meeting Skills: As a potential Vice Chair, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to chair complex meetings. In your application, mention any relevant experience you have in facilitating discussions and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard. This will show us you're ready to take on this important role!
Emphasise Diversity and Inclusion: At PACT, we value diverse perspectives. Make sure to highlight any experiences that showcase your commitment to equality and inclusion. We’re looking for panel members who can bring different viewpoints to the table, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website: Ready to take the plunge? We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at ocva.org
✨Know Your Adoption Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the adoption process and any relevant legislation. Being able to discuss your understanding of the complexities involved will show that you're serious about the role and can contribute meaningfully to the panel.
✨Showcase Your Chairing Skills
Since you'll be chairing complex meetings, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully facilitated discussions. Highlight how you ensured everyone had a voice and how you navigated challenging conversations.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity
PACT values diversity and inclusion, so come ready to discuss how your unique background or experiences can enhance the panel's perspectives. Think about specific instances where you've championed inclusive practices in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Online Dynamics
As the panel sessions are held online, practice your virtual communication skills. Ensure you’re comfortable with the technology and think about how you can engage participants effectively in a digital setting.
