Independent Fostering Panel Member

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Please apply online by clicking the link below

There has never been a more exciting time to join Wirral Council. We’ve got ambitious targets to meet and to achieve everything we have promised to our residents, we need people who are ready to deliver the very best for our communities and show how they can #BeTheDifference. Our vision is to secure the best possible future for our residents, defined by the community prosperity we create and supported by our excellent people and services. If you strive to #BeTheDifference and want to be at the heart of our change and improvement journey, then this could be the perfect job for you.

Independent Fostering Panel Member (Wirral Council)

Fees are £120 per session which includes reading and preparation time.

Are you passionate about improving the lives of children and young people? Do you have the experience, insight, and commitment to contribute to high-quality decision-making in fostering? Wirral Council is seeking Independent Panel Members to join our Fostering Panel, which plays a vital role in ensuring that children in care are placed with foster families who can meet their needs and help them thrive.

Panels are held 3 times per month at Wallasey Town Hall on a Thursday, and members are expected to attend approximately one panel per six weeks with flexibility, depending on availability and panel business.

About the Role:

As an Independent Panel Member, you will be part of a multi-disciplinary panel that considers:

• Applications to become foster carers Reviews of existing foster carers
• Long-term matches between children and carers
• Changes to approval status

You will contribute to robust, child-centred recommendations that support safe, nurturing, and inclusive placements.

About the Candidate:

We welcome applications from individuals with professional or personal experience in fostering, social care, education, health, or related fields. You should have a strong understanding of the needs of children and young people in care with an awareness of fostering legislation and safeguarding principles. You must possess excellent listening and communication skills, the ability to work collaboratively and respectfully within a panel setting with a commitment to equality, diversity, and anti-discriminatory practices.

Why Join Wirral Council’s Fostering Panel?

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families. Be part of a supportive, values-led team. Contribute your expertise to a vital public service. Receive professional development and recognition for your contribution.

Additional Information:

You will be required to attend an interview. Training and support will be provided to ensure you are confident in your role. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families across Wirral.

If you would like to discuss this role, please contact: lisagreenhalghyoung@wirral.gov.uk

This post requires a DBS check. The Safer Recruitment & Employment Policy and the Disclosures for Recruitment Procedure can be found at : https://www.wirral.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/job-vacancies/safer-recruitment-and-employment

If you’re already a Wirral Council employee, and as part of our Talent Strategy, we’re committed to strengthening opportunities for our people to learn, grow, progress and thrive. For many of you, this may be preparing and applying for your next role with us, and we're passionate about ensuring you feel supported throughout your internal recruitment experience. Please get in touch if you want to know more about some of the ways in which we could support you by emailing recruitment@wirral.gov.uk

If you are a Wirral resident, are unemployed or out of work, and require help with your application, please contact Involve Northwest’s employment and skills team on info@involvenorthwest.org.uk or contact 0151 644 4500 or 0151 652 4349.

We want you to be your best at work, we create the conditions to help you thrive and we mirror this in our recruitment process. If you’d like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process to make it barrier-free and as accessible as possible please contact recruitment@wirral.gov.uk

Please note that in accordance with the Council’s policy, employees who are in a formal redeployment situation will be considered in the first instance for all vacancies.

It is Council policy not to re-appoint any employee who has left under the terms of the Council's Early Voluntary Retirement (EVR) scheme or who have left with a voluntary severance (VS) package, unless in exceptional circumstances.

Applications will be accepted until midnight on the closing date.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications.

Applications can only be accepted through the Jobs page following registration. Forms received via the post will not be processed.

All applicants invited to interview must evidence their right to work in the UK. Details of required documents can be found by clicking the link at the bottom of the Jobs page.

The job description and other supporting documents will not be accessible once the vacancy closing date has passed so if a copy is required you should download it now.

We do not accept applications or CV’s from recruitment agencies, unless otherwise stated. Therefore, any candidates submitted via a recruitment agency will not be considered for this role.