Panel Advisor

**Additional details**
This post requires a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) DBS check at Enhanced level.

**Benefits and more information**:
In your role, we want you to feel supported, challenged and rewarded. You will benefit from our family-friendly policies including flexible working, home working, and a local government pension scheme, plus many other staff benefits. You will join a motivated, driven and supportive team that strives for excellence and values its members. You will also be part of a successful and high-achieving development team that is making a real difference to the lives of residents in the borough. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our **Staff Benefits** page.
**The role** Service Vision**

At Southwark Council, we're on a mission to transform the lives of children in care, and our Independent Fostering Panel is at the heart of it all. Our fostering service is renowned for its commitment to excellence, supporting children and young people to thrive in safe and loving homes. We believe in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in fostering, empowering our panel, social workers, and foster carers to make a lasting impact.

Join our dynamic team, where innovation meets compassion, and every decision we make helps to shape the future of fostering. If you're passionate about changing lives and driving standards to new heights, we want you to be a part of our journey

**About the Role**

As our Fostering Panel Advisor, you’ll play a pivotal role in leading and evolving our fostering panel's work. Partnering with the Panel Chair and the Service Manager, you’ll have the chance to influence the big picture of fostering at Southwark Council. This is more than a job—it’s your opportunity to shape best practices, elevate our standards, and ensure that every child we support finds the best possible home.

Your role will involve:

- Leading with impact: Guide our panel’s strategic development and set high expectations for excellence in every decision.
- Building expertise: Provide top-level advice and support to our social workers, ensuring every case presented meets the highest fostering standards.
- Driving quality: Oversee and enhance the quality of panel papers, turning data and reports into meaningful actions that benefit our children and families.
- Championing progress: Lead innovative training initiatives that bring cutting-edge research and best practices into our everyday fostering operations.
- Creating change: Collaborate across the board to influence positive outcomes for children, transforming their lives through your insight and expertise.

In this strategic role, you’ll be supported with continuous development opportunities, enabling you to grow and advance your career while making a genuine difference in our community.

**About You**

We’re looking for a passionate advocate for children and fostering who’s ready to lead with vision and expertise. You’ll be a catalyst for change, bringing your knowledge and skills to empower our fostering team to excel.

You should have:

- Expert knowledge of Fostering Regulations, Legislation, and National Minimum Standards, paired with a keen eye for detail.
- A track record of success in guiding social care practices, with proven experience in providing clear, confident advice and leadership.
- A talent for inspiring others: You’re a communicator who can motivate, influence, and engage everyone from panel members to social workers.
- A growth mindset: You’re always looking for ways to innovate and bring new ideas to the table, driven by the desire to see children and young people succeed.
- The ability to make strategic decisions that have a tangible impact on the lives of children and families across Southwark.

If you’re ready to step up, lead with passion, and be at the forefront of fostering excellence, Southwark Council is the place for you. This is your chance to shape the future of fostering and make a real, lasting difference.

**Recruitment timetable**
Closing date - 27th January 2025

Shortlisting - 29th January 2025

Interviews - 5th February 2025

**Guaranteed Interview Scheme**:
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

Job Reference: SC07141