Fostering Panel Advisor and Review Chair

Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values we strive to have a workforce that reflects our local communities and welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic backgrounds, applicants who have a disability and applicants who are from the LGBTQ+ community to apply for our senior leadership roles. 

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

About the team we are recruiting to

At Coventry City Council, we are embarking on an incredible journey to create a brighter future for Coventry's children. As a 'Good' Local Authority, we believe in pushing boundaries and delivering excellence for children and families. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

Our vision is clear, and our social workers are unwavering in their commitment to putting children and families at the centre of their practice. 

Be part of our inspiring team, making a meaningful difference in the lives of Coventry's children. Together, let's create a nurturing environment where every child's potential can flourish.

What is the job role?

This position is for the Fostering Panel Advisor and Foster Carer Review Chair. 

Coventry City Council has been investing in its Fostering Service for several years and has seen both numerical growth and significant improvement in practice as a result.  More than half of our looked after children are now cared for by a carer approved by Coventry.  There has been investment both in our mainstream fostering teams and in ensuring that wherever possible children can remain living with their extended network via a connected persons arrangement.  The service has a commitment to working closely with our foster carers and with children’s social work teams to ensure that fostered children are well cared for and achieve best outcomes. We are committed to continuing these developments by building on these strengths.

The successful candidate will be integral to the continued growth of the service by providing advice to the fostering panel and by taking on responsibility for the oversight of foster carer reviews following team manager quality assurance. 

Fostering panels take place virtually.  However, the post holder will be expected to attend the office for relevant meetings, personal supervision and training days.

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Who are we looking for?

We are keen to receive applications from qualified social workers who have experience of working with foster carers.  It would be beneficial if this work has included sitting as a fostering panel member but this is not essential.  The role of panel advisor requires clear understanding of the fostering regulations and standards.  It also requires the ability to work collaboratively and relationally with the independent panel chair, vice chairs, panel members and those attending the panel.

The children, families and carers we work with come from a variety of backgrounds and in order to deliver the best possible care it is vital that we have a workforce that represents and understands their unique experiences and perspectives. 

Our workforce data shows that men and people from minority ethnic backgrounds are under-represented within the Fostering team and encourage applicants from these backgrounds to apply.  This does not prevent individuals with other protected characteristics as set out within the Equality Act 2010 from applying for this post.  

For an informal conversation about the role please contact Katherine Robinson – Katherine.robinson@coventry.gov.uk

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'

Interview date:  15th July 2024

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies