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Independent Fostering Reviewing Officer
| Posting date: | 24 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £47,754 to £52,805 per year, pro rata |
| Additional salary information: | Permanent, 29 days annual leave pro rata, increasing to 34 days annual leave pro rata after 5 years' service. - Flexible Worker. |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 14 May 2025 |
| Location: | North Somerset, South West England |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | North Somerset Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | SCHA0696 |
Summary
The Role
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Independent Fostering Reviewing Officer to join our Fostering Service. The Fostering Service are responsible for assessing and supporting mainstream and kinship foster carers. We have oversight of foster carers, ensuring that they are maintaining regulatory requirements, are accessing appropriate training and are being supported adequately by the local authority.
In this role the main responsibilities are;
Chairing Annual Reviews for all Foster Carers, undertaking Quality Assurance activity, overseeing the Management of Allegations/Standards of Care Investigations and supporting with any tasks relevant to the role.
As part of the preparation for an annual review they will also conduct audits of the agency’s files to ensure a high standard of recording is maintained. They will also make sure that all paperwork is fit for purpose and that feedback is received and action taken where necessary to resolve issues.
The Independent Fostering Reviewing Officer is expected to produce high quality reports and provide carers with a copy of these, raising any concerns with the relevant professionals involved, if required. Where necessary they will complete additional reports relevant to the role, attend fostering panel where necessary and provide clarity in relation to complex issues or disagreement to members of the team and wider service area.
Key Responsibilities:
Responsible for chairing Annual Reviews for Foster Carers, producing high quality annual review reports. As part of the preparation for a review they will also conduct audits of the agency’s files to ensure a high standard of recording is maintained. Responsible for offering advice and oversight regarding allegations against Foster Carers, and any Standards of Care investigations. Ensuring fostering duties are met, national minimum standards and regulations are complied with, and high standards of professional practice are delivered.
To promote full and active participation of Foster Carers in meetings, including visiting them in their home and seeking their views to inform their annual review. To rigorously assess foster carers capability to meet the needs of children in foster care, incorporating their wishes and feelings as we as ensuring that all feedback is received, in line with fostering regulations. To highlight areas of good practice or commendations alongside areas of development for both the foster carer and the agency. Provide participants with a clear summary of the meeting, recommendation and action points.
To confirm all checks including medical, DBS are within date. That all household insurances are up to date, M.O.T and car insurance is valid, Health and Safety and Safe Care Policies are current and implemented. Foster carers are fulfilling the agency expectations in relation to recording, training, Training, Support and Development Standards and the Foster Care Agreement.
To prepare high quality review reports with clear recommendations to the agency regarding the carer(s) and household’s suitability to foster, evidencing the reasoning behind the recommendations made. To meet and work within agency deadlines and timescales to ensure the efficient running of the service. To represent the department at other relevant meetings. To participate in Quality Assurance activity, this will include an audit of carers files whilst preparing for their annual review. Any concerns should be raised with the Team Manager
This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.
This position is currently based at the Town Hall in Weston-Super-Mare but there is an expectation of chairing meetings in foster carers homes which could be based outside of North Somerset.
About You
We are looking for an individual who is passionate about Fostering, and who possesses the following skills and experience:
Essential Criteria:
knowledge of fostering regulations
show initiative and self-reliance.
demonstrate good communication skills - oral and written.
be adaptable and able to respond to requests or requirements at short notice.
be able to work effectively with fostering households, families, children and young people and other agencies.
be able to provide direction to others.
be able to assess risks and work positively with foster carers to develop a realistic action plan.
be able to prioritise work and deliver to deadlines.
Desirable Criteria:
Worked in a senior position
Previous experience of chairing meetings
Contact Information
For further information about the role, please contact Katie Bailey, Fostering Service Lead, at katie.bailey@n-somerset.gov.uk
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Independent Fostering Reviewing Officer to join our Fostering Service. The Fostering Service are responsible for assessing and supporting mainstream and kinship foster carers. We have oversight of foster carers, ensuring that they are maintaining regulatory requirements, are accessing appropriate training and are being supported adequately by the local authority.
In this role the main responsibilities are;
Chairing Annual Reviews for all Foster Carers, undertaking Quality Assurance activity, overseeing the Management of Allegations/Standards of Care Investigations and supporting with any tasks relevant to the role.
As part of the preparation for an annual review they will also conduct audits of the agency’s files to ensure a high standard of recording is maintained. They will also make sure that all paperwork is fit for purpose and that feedback is received and action taken where necessary to resolve issues.
The Independent Fostering Reviewing Officer is expected to produce high quality reports and provide carers with a copy of these, raising any concerns with the relevant professionals involved, if required. Where necessary they will complete additional reports relevant to the role, attend fostering panel where necessary and provide clarity in relation to complex issues or disagreement to members of the team and wider service area.
Key Responsibilities:
Responsible for chairing Annual Reviews for Foster Carers, producing high quality annual review reports. As part of the preparation for a review they will also conduct audits of the agency’s files to ensure a high standard of recording is maintained. Responsible for offering advice and oversight regarding allegations against Foster Carers, and any Standards of Care investigations. Ensuring fostering duties are met, national minimum standards and regulations are complied with, and high standards of professional practice are delivered.
To promote full and active participation of Foster Carers in meetings, including visiting them in their home and seeking their views to inform their annual review. To rigorously assess foster carers capability to meet the needs of children in foster care, incorporating their wishes and feelings as we as ensuring that all feedback is received, in line with fostering regulations. To highlight areas of good practice or commendations alongside areas of development for both the foster carer and the agency. Provide participants with a clear summary of the meeting, recommendation and action points.
To confirm all checks including medical, DBS are within date. That all household insurances are up to date, M.O.T and car insurance is valid, Health and Safety and Safe Care Policies are current and implemented. Foster carers are fulfilling the agency expectations in relation to recording, training, Training, Support and Development Standards and the Foster Care Agreement.
To prepare high quality review reports with clear recommendations to the agency regarding the carer(s) and household’s suitability to foster, evidencing the reasoning behind the recommendations made. To meet and work within agency deadlines and timescales to ensure the efficient running of the service. To represent the department at other relevant meetings. To participate in Quality Assurance activity, this will include an audit of carers files whilst preparing for their annual review. Any concerns should be raised with the Team Manager
This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.
This position is currently based at the Town Hall in Weston-Super-Mare but there is an expectation of chairing meetings in foster carers homes which could be based outside of North Somerset.
About You
We are looking for an individual who is passionate about Fostering, and who possesses the following skills and experience:
Essential Criteria:
knowledge of fostering regulations
show initiative and self-reliance.
demonstrate good communication skills - oral and written.
be adaptable and able to respond to requests or requirements at short notice.
be able to work effectively with fostering households, families, children and young people and other agencies.
be able to provide direction to others.
be able to assess risks and work positively with foster carers to develop a realistic action plan.
be able to prioritise work and deliver to deadlines.
Desirable Criteria:
Worked in a senior position
Previous experience of chairing meetings
Contact Information
For further information about the role, please contact Katie Bailey, Fostering Service Lead, at katie.bailey@n-somerset.gov.uk
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.