At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fostering panels and ensure high-quality outcomes for children needing stable placements.
- Company: Slough Children First, a diverse and supportive organisation focused on child welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, training opportunities, flexible working, and a friendly environment.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with great transport links to Central London.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified social work manager with experience in fostering and adoption services.
The predicted salary is between 43644 - 48068 £ per year.
Slough Children First (SCF) is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Panel Advisor to lead and develop our fostering panels, with some involvement in adoption panel work. This is a key leadership role that supports excellent decision‑making, strong governance, and high‑quality outcomes for children who need stable, loving placements.
As our Panel Advisor, you will act as the Agency Advisor for fostering and adoption, ensuring panels operate effectively, lawfully and to the highest standards. You will work closely with panel chairs, agency decision makers, senior managers and practitioners to provide strong oversight, drive continuous improvement, achieve positive inspection outcomes and promote best practice across the service.
You will manage and oversee SCF’s fostering panels, with some work supporting the adoption panel, supporting the Chair and agency decision maker through effective professional advice, support and appropriate challenge. You will ensure safeguarding and the voice of the child remain central to all aspects of practice, actively using feedback from children, carers and service users to inform learning and drive service development.
Where possible, you will also contribute to identifying and generating leads for potential foster carers and “home from home” carers. As our Panel Advisor, you will support effective decision-making by maintaining up‑to‑date knowledge of legislation, regulations, National Minimum Standards for Fostering and Social Work England standards, and by disseminating relevant research and best practice.
You will also ensure panel members are appropriately appraised, facilitate and deliver regular training, and provide appropriate professional challenge to scrutinise practice and identify capability gaps.
For this role, you will be a qualified and Social Work England registered social work manager with substantial experience in fostering and/or adoption services. You will be highly knowledgeable about fostering legislation, statutory guidance and National Minimum Standards. You will be confident in providing professional advice and challenge at senior level and experienced in quality assurance, audit and inspection preparedness.
This role is ideal for a qualified social work manager with strong fostering and adoption expertise, excellent knowledge of legislation and a passion for improving outcomes for children.
We work on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of 3 days per week based in the office. In return, we can offer you:
- Training and development opportunities
- Agile working supported by technology
- Flexible working policies
- Friendly working environment and great colleagues
Slough is one of the most diverse places in the country outside of London and a great place to live or work. In fact, it’s the best place to live or work according to a survey by Glassdoor. Pleasant environments, above average salaries and a lower cost of living, mean an increased quality of life for employees. We’re also one of the most accessible places to be, nestled on the corner of the M25, M4 and M40, and less than 20 minutes by train to Central London.
Panel Advisor (part time permanent) employer: Slough Children First
Slough Children First (SCF) is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees while making a meaningful impact on children's lives. With a strong commitment to training and professional growth, SCF fosters a friendly and inclusive work culture, offering flexible working policies and a hybrid model that enhances work-life balance. Located in the vibrant and diverse town of Slough, employees enjoy a pleasant environment, competitive salaries, and easy access to London, making it an ideal place to thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Panel Advisor (part time permanent)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering and adoption sector. Attend relevant events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on the perfect role for you!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of current legislation and best practices in fostering and adoption. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to improving outcomes for children. Show them you’re not just a candidate, but the right fit for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills! In your conversations, highlight your experience in managing panels and driving continuous improvement. This is key for the Panel Advisor role, so make sure they see your potential to lead effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Slough Children First. Let’s get you that interview!
We think you need these skills to ace Panel Advisor (part time permanent)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in fostering and adoption services. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Panel Advisor, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant expertise!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a key leadership role, it’s important to demonstrate your ability to lead and develop panels effectively. Share examples of how you've driven continuous improvement and supported decision-making in previous roles.
Highlight Your Knowledge of Legislation:We’re looking for someone who is well-versed in fostering legislation and National Minimum Standards. Make sure to mention any specific training or experience you have that relates to these areas, as it will strengthen your application.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget 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 exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Slough Children First
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the latest fostering and adoption legislation, as well as the National Minimum Standards. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also passionate about ensuring high-quality outcomes for children.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams or panels in the past. Highlight your experience in providing professional advice and challenge at a senior level, as this role requires strong leadership to drive continuous improvement and effective decision-making.
✨Emphasise Child-Centric Practices
Be ready to discuss how you’ve kept the voice of the child central in your previous roles. Share specific instances where you’ve used feedback from children and service users to inform practice and drive service development.
✨Engage with the Panel Dynamics
Understand the dynamics of working with panel chairs and agency decision-makers. Prepare to discuss how you would facilitate effective communication and collaboration within the panel to ensure it operates smoothly and lawfully.
