48 Charity / Voluntary jobs in Keighley, Bradford

A rare opportunity has arisen to join Leeds City Council's Fostering Panel as an Independent Panel Chair. The post holder would become part of an experienced, professional, and friendly panel central list who are child-focused and passionate about their role in the safe placement of children and young people, who are looked after by Leeds City Council. The Panel is also very ably supported by experienced and efficient Panel Advisor's. The role is fully independent and as such no current Leeds City Council Employee can apply. As an Independent Fostering Panel Chair, you will have a detailed knowledge of the legal framework of fostering and childcare law, as well as an in-depth knowledge of current fostering practice. You will be an excellent communicator, with an ability to chair and guide complex meetings. Experience in Children's Services at a management level is essential. The panel meets monthly and the postholder will be expected to participate in regular panel training and work closely with the agencies advisors to conduct annual appraisals of panel members and to support good communication between the agency and panel. The post is subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check and two references will be taken up prior to the interview., As our next Independent Fostering Panel Chair, you will play a crucial role in the provision and monitoring of foster care for children in line with the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and the Children's Act Guidance Volume 4: Fostering Services 2011. Leeds Children's Work Service is strongly committed to its fostering service. We have a successful track record of recruiting and supporting foster carers and have a dedicated kinship care service. The agency is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Currently the service runs 4 fostering panels per month, with additional panels being required on an ad hoc basis due to the high level of demand. Fostering panel cannot proceed without an independent fostering panel chair. Fostering panel plays a key part in ensuring that we deliver safe and effective services to children and families in Leeds., Fostering panels have a crucial part to play in the provision and monitoring of foster care for children and young people. Independent fostering panel chairs take the lead in chairing panel and facilitating the panel being able to reach a recommendation, as part of this function, the panel oversees the conduct of assessments carried out by the fostering service, advises on any relevant matters in relation to the fostering service and makes recommendations to the decision maker about quality issues and performance standards. As an independent panel chair, you will be feeding back any concerns to the service through regular meetings between the panel chair's, panel advisors and senior managers within the fostering service. These meetings help to monitor the work and membership of panel and address any concerns/issues that the panel may have., The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

• To prepare for panel meetings, reading panel papers carefully, identifying key issues and alerting the panel adviser if necessary to ensure, as far as possible, that the case is adequate for submission to panel.
• To chair panel meetings, ensuring that all items of business are covered and that the panel operates in accordance with Legislation, National Minimum Standards and the agencies policies and procedures.
• To facilitate the active participation of all panel members in contributing to the panel's consideration of cases and to the making of clear and well-evidenced recommendations.
• To address diversity issues and to promote anti-discriminatory practice at all times.
• To ensure that clear and accurate minutes are written, which record any serious reservations which panel members may have, and to be involved in checking draft minutes before they are sent to the decision maker and to the next panel meeting.
• To review, with the panel adviser, the performance of panel members as the need arises, and at least annually.
• To participate in panel specific training at least one day per year.
• To be an active participant in the service's quarterly meetings with the agency., Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Be aware of and be able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health and Safety.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
  
  As an Independent Fostering Panel Chair, you will bring to the role:
• Knowledge of current childcare legislation and related guidance with regards to the fostering service.
• Be competent in chairing complex meetings, ensuring that the panel operates in accordance with Legislation and National Minimum Standards, as well as the policies and procedures of the agency.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both verbal and written.
• The ability to process and analyse large amounts of complex and sensitive information.
• The ability to manage the expression of strongly held but possibly conflicting views by panel members and to help the panel to reach a recommendation which takes account of all these views., Social Work Degree.
• Current Social Work England registration.
• Experience of social care management.
• Experience with regards to the placement/s of children in fostering households and in Kinship Care arrangements.
• Experience with regards to the chairing of complex meetings.
  
  Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
  
  a competitive salary
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further, We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader. All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period. This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, candidates must consider their own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. For more information visit Skilled Worker visa on the government website. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.