Independent Adoption Panel Members

Independent Adoption Panel Members

Adopt South West

Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe, loving and permanent family. Could you help make that happen?

Adopt South West is seeking enthusiastic and committed Independent Adoption Panel Members to join our Adoption Panel and play a vital role in helping children find safe, loving and permanent families.

As an Independent Adoption Panel Member, you will review information provided in advance of panels, contribute to discussions and help make well-informed recommendations that support the best possible outcomes for prospective adopters and children. Panel members play an important role in ensuring decisions are thoughtful, balanced and centred on the needs of children and families.

Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Adopt South West is committed to creating panels that reflect the richness and diversity of the communities we serve. We believe that a broad range of voices, experiences and perspectives strengthens decision-making and helps us better support children and families.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during panel membership.

Who We Are Looking For

We are keen to hear from individuals who can demonstrate:

• Relevant lived experience of adoption, care experience or fostering and/or professional experience that provides an understanding of children who are unable to live with their birth family and/or the placement of children with adoptive families.
• A commitment to promoting the welfare of children
• An understanding of child development and the impact of trauma, significant loss and trauma.
• The ability to analyse information and contribute to evidence based and balanced recommendations
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• An understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion
• Able to use appropriate IT systems, including Microsoft Office, and engage with panel papers and meetings electronically where required.
• A commitment to attend a minimum of four all-day virtual panels per year. Planned six months in advance.

What We Offer

• A rewarding opportunity to influence life-changing decisions for children and families
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing support
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Payment of an attendance fee (£120) and reimbursement of agreed expenses
• Rota planned six months in advance

Safer Recruitment

Applicants must be aged 21 or over.

Successful applicants will be subject to Adopt South West's safer recruitment procedures. This will include references, identity checks and an Enhanced Child Workforce Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, together with any other checks required for the role.

Find Out More

If you are passionate about improving outcomes for children and would like to make a meaningful contribution to adoption services across the South West, we would love to hear from you.

If you have any questions please contact:

Rachel Nall on Rachel.Nall@devon.gov.uk or

Nia Philips on Nia.Phillips@devon.gov.uk

Interviews will take place on December 15th 2026.

We would like to know:

What has motivated you to apply to become an Adoption Panel Member, and why is this role of interest to you? Please tell us about the skills, knowledge, professional expertise and/or lived experience you would bring to the Adoption Panel.