At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the Fostering Panel as a Senior Agency Advisor, ensuring high standards in fostering practices.
- Company: Hammersmith and Fulham Council is dedicated to improving children's lives through effective fostering services.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working with just two days in the office and remote work options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's futures while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Social Worker with experience in fostering and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Referral bonus of up to £500 for successful recommendations.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council Fostering Service is looking for an experienced fostering professional to join their Fostering Panel as a Senior Agency Advisor. This is a full-time locum post with a flexible working pattern – you'll be based in the office just two days per week, with the rest worked remotely.
This role is ideal for someone who understands fostering panel work inside and out and can bring a confident, analytical approach to ensuring high standards of practice across all approvals, reviews, and de-registrations.
Key Responsibilities- Act as the primary link between the local authority and the Fostering Panel, playing a central role in quality assurance and ensuring that all decision-making is compliant, well-evidenced, and focused on the best outcomes for children.
- Provide professional advice and legal guidance to the fostering panel and chair in line with the Fostering Services Regulations 2011, Children Act 1989, and National Minimum Standards.
- Quality-assure reports and paperwork presented to panel, including Form F assessments, reviews, and deregistration requests.
- Offer constructive feedback to social workers and managers to improve the quality and clarity of assessments.
- Support the effective functioning of the panel, helping ensure that discussions are robust, inclusive, and child-focused.
- Contribute to the delivery of training and development for panel members.
- Monitor panel decisions and themes, working closely with senior managers to support ongoing service improvement.
- Support the annual panel report and attend relevant strategic meetings as required.
- Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
- Strong background in fostering, ideally with panel or quality assurance experience.
- Confident understanding of regulatory frameworks and legal responsibilities in fostering.
- A methodical, analytical approach to reviewing reports and advising professionals.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
For more information or to apply, contact Maddie Billingham.
Agency Advisor - Fostering Panel employer: Sheldon Phillips Ltd
Contact Detail:
Sheldon Phillips Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Agency Advisor - Fostering Panel
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the fostering sector. Attend relevant workshops or seminars where you can meet current or former members of fostering panels. This can provide you with insider knowledge and potentially a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest regulations and standards in fostering. Being well-versed in the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and the Children Act 1989 will demonstrate your commitment and expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experience that highlight your analytical skills and ability to provide constructive feedback. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Hammersmith and Fulham Council's fostering service and its recent initiatives. Showing that you understand their specific challenges and goals will set you apart as a candidate who is genuinely interested in contributing to their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Agency Advisor - Fostering Panel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Senior Agency Advisor in the Fostering Panel. Familiarise yourself with the key requirements and expectations outlined in the job description.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in fostering and quality assurance. Emphasise your qualifications, particularly your Social Work England registration, and any specific experiences that align with the role's requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the fostering panel work and your analytical approach. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you meet the key responsibilities of the position.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for any errors or inconsistencies. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sheldon Phillips Ltd
✨Know Your Regulations
Familiarise yourself with the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and the Children Act 1989. Being able to discuss these frameworks confidently will demonstrate your expertise and understanding of the legal responsibilities involved in fostering.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've used your analytical skills to improve quality assurance processes. Highlight how your methodical approach has led to better outcomes in previous roles, especially in relation to panel work.
✨Emphasise Communication and Collaboration
Be ready to provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with social workers and managers. Discuss how you’ve facilitated robust discussions in a panel setting and contributed to a child-focused environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Anticipate scenario-based questions that may assess your decision-making and problem-solving abilities. Think about past experiences where you had to provide professional advice or feedback, and be prepared to explain your thought process.