Current vacancies with Orchard Care fostering
Whenever vacancies come up, we'll be posting them on this page, so please take a moment to read through the job description and apply by following the instructions provided. Prior experience and training are not always required (depending on the advertised role), as on-the-job training can often be provided. If you wish to enquire further about a job before you apply, please do get in touch with the team at Orchard Care Fostering, we'll endeavour to be prompt in our response, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Panel Member -
Part time Position
Pay:
£120 per panel
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Description of the role:
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To read the circulated papers carefully before the meeting, and to attend the meeting prepared to raise issues and to contribute to the panel discussion.
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To take responsibility for participating in the making of a recommendation, on each case, drawing on both personal and professional knowledge and experience.
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​To attend meetings of the panel as specified in your agreement with the agency.
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To be prepared to attend additional panels if possible, if requested.
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To participate with other members, in advising on policy and procedural matters as required.
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To address diversity issues and promote anti-discriminatory practice.
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To safeguard the confidentiality of all panel papers and panel discussions.
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To participate in induction and in training which will be at least one day per year.
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To participate constructively in the annual review of your central list panel membership.
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To adhere to the agency’s panel member code of conduct, if provided.
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Person Specification:
Experience and Qualifications:
•Experience, either professionally or personally or both, of the placement of children in foster families or of children being cared for away from their birth family. •A social work qualification will be necessary for certain panel members.
Abilities:
•Good listening and communication skills. •The ability to read, process and analyse large amounts of complex and sometimes distressing information. •The ability to make an assessment and to form a view, based on the written and verbal information presented to panel, and the confidence to articulate this at panel. •The ability to use personal and/or professional knowledge and experience to contribute to discussions, and decision-making in a balanced and informed manner. •The ability to work cooperatively as part of a multi-disciplinary team. •The ability to attend panel meetings, as required, arriving on time, and to attend at least one training day each year.
Knowledge:
•An appreciation of the effect of separation and loss on children. •Awareness of the richness of different kinds of families and their potential for meeting children’s needs. •Some understanding of the purpose and function of the panel and of the agency which the panel is serving, or a willingness to learn.
Attitudes:
•A commitment to keeping children within their own family or community where this is possible, and to maintaining contact between children living in foster families and their birth families where this appears to be in the child’s best interests. •A commitment to fostering as a way of meeting a child’s needs where this appears to be in the child’s best interests. •A commitment to safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare in foster care. •A valuing of diversity in relation to issues of ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, and sexuality. •An understanding of, and a commitment to, the need for confidentiality. •A willingness to increase knowledge and understanding of issues through reading, discussion, and training. •A willingness to contribute constructively to the annual review of your central list panel membership and, as required, to that of other members and the Chair.
Do you have the right qualities to work with Orchard Care?
Please contact us, if you would like further information about a job role or the application process
0191 378 4444
Lines are open on weekdays only -
Mon to Thurs 8.30am-5pm,
Fri 8.30am-4.30pm
You can also get in touch with us by emailing info@orchardcare.org.uk