Panel Advisor

**JOB PURPOSE**:
To act as Agency Adviser to the Fostering/Adoption Panel(s), through the provision of advice to the Chair, Panel members, agency and agency decision makers concerning:

- The Agency’s policies, procedures and practices
- Children Act 1989
- The Adoption & Children Act 2002 and associated regulations
- Government Guidelines
- Fostering/Adoption regulations, standards and guidance 2012
- To assist with the appointment, performance monitoring, review and termination of members of the Central List.
- To be responsible for liaison between the Agency, Agency Decision Maker, Chair and the Panels.
- Supervise the role of the Panel Administrators to ensure that an efficient service is provided i.e. minutes are of good quality, and distributed as required, that the booking system is effective etc.
- To attend the Panel as adviser
- The Adviser must be a social worker with at least five years post qualification experience and relevant management experience. Evidence of continuing Professional Development must be maintained. An understanding of diversity and difference issues is essential

**ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS**:

- Degree in Social Work, CQSW/DipSW or equivalent and registration as a social worker with the HCPC
- Evidence of relevant professional development OR Demonstrable experience identified within the section below
- The Advisor must be a social worker with extensive post qualification experience
- Experience working within adoption and/or fostering services in a senior position within a fostering or adoption service
- Substantial experience of working with children and families including complex cases
- Experience of successful inter-agency working
- Providing consultation, mentoring and developing qualified staff/Social Work Assistants or equivalent
- Experience of care planning policy and standards
- An understanding of implementation of Adoption & Fostering Regulations and National Standards and guidance
- High level working knowledge of current relevant legislative framework and national policy
- Ability to interpret and disseminate policy and research
- Expertise and understanding of child development and attachment theory
- Ability to appraise and develop staff
- Ability to interpret and analyse statistical and written information
- Understanding/knowledge of adoption, fostering, disability, and children and family’s issues
- An understanding of diversity and difference
- Ability to quality assure through supervision, case audit and review to ensure high standards of practice within the service
- Ability to communicate effectively with Members, service users, and colleagues at all levels and to build effective partnerships internally and with external agencies
- Work to tight deadlines
- Computer skills
- Write and present clearly for a wide range of audiences
- Ability to work within an Equal Opportunities, non discriminatory framework
- Ability to assess effectively the performance and development needs of social work staff
- Effective negotiating and interpersonal skills
- Identify, attain and maintain high levels of practice
- Professional credibility
- Innovative/flexibility
- Leadership skills

Please see the Job Description / Person Specification which are attached further down on this page

For informal enquires please contact Michelle Robinson
**Tel**:
0116 3050448

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**We are on a journey to be an inclusive department where a culture to celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion is embedded and discrimination challenged at every level together as a department. We warmly welcome those from all cultures, ethnicities and beliefs - this diversity is vital to our journey and is fundamental to our values and enriches the services we offer our children and families. We particularly welcome applicants from black, minority, ethnic (BME) communities, disabled people and lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities, as they are currently under represented within our workforce.**

**For further information about working for Leicestershire County Council, please click **here**.