Fostering Panel Advisor

Grade J scp 35 £22,447 to scp 39 £24,455 essential car user allowance up to £963pa
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 18 per week 2.5 days
Essential requirement: enhanced DBS
Essential qualification: professional social work qualification and registered with social work England.
Essential requirement: full driving licence
Interview date: TBC
For further information about this role, contact: Rachael.warburton@bolton.gov.uk

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Please read the detailed information at the bottom of this advert before you make an application as it may be rejected if we detect AI use.

Ask us about flexible working options to fit with your work/life balance - #HappytoTalkFlexible

The Role

£22,447 to £24,455 essential car user allowance up to £963pa- pay award pending

Bolton is a fantastic place to work, and our employees thrive working here. We are incredibly proud of our Bolton Family, of which you will become an integral part. We are keen to support you to progress in your social work journey with training and development opportunities.

Join Bolton Children’s Services and be part of a team where your expertise is valued and your decisions make a difference every day.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong background in fostering who is passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children and foster families. We are looking for a confident professional who can combine sound professional judgement with a collaborative and supportive approach.

In 2023 we retained our overall GOOD grading from Ofsted in our ILACS.

As set out in our Bolton 2040 vision, we want to make sure all our children and young people have the best possible start in life, so they have every chance to succeed and be happy. Follow this link to read more about the Bolton Vision.

Following our recent Ofsted inspection, which confirmed how great our staff and our services are, Ofsted said:
‘Social workers are well supported and say they feel valued.’
‘Social workers describe a culture of regular and reflective supervision.’

If you would like to know more, we would love to hear from you!

For an informal chat please contact Head of Service Rachael.Warburton@bolton.gov.uk

How to apply
If you think you could be what we're looking for, please apply now with your CV and covering letter explaining how you meet the requirements of the role as covered in the job description and person specification.

About You

We are seeking an experienced and professional Fostering Panel Advisor to support the effective operation of our fostering panel. The successful candidate will provide high-quality advice on fostering regulations, policy, and practice, ensuring all panel business is conducted in line with statutory requirements and practice standards.

The role requires excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to prepare clear panel documentation, guide panel members, and contribute to quality assurance processes. You will work closely with social work staff, panel members, and senior leaders to promote safe, child-focused decision-making

About Us

This is your opportunity to join us at an exciting time as we have strong ambitions for the borough.

Bolton is a great place to work. We are a welcoming organisation that wants to contribute to a place where people feel active, connected and prosperous. We are passionate about improving the outcomes and experience of Bolton people. We want Bolton to be a vibrant place built on strong cohesive communities, successful businesses and healthy, engaged residents.

As an employer we want to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment, by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits, including discounts and exclusive gym membership prices and salary sacrifice schemes. In addition, we offer a generous annual leave allowance, flexible work opportunities, access to a Pension Scheme, as well as a range of employee wellbeing and support services.

Our Values are really important to us, read all about them below, along with all our great staff benefits, the job description/person specification for the role and the important legal bits, and our Top Tips too.

Ready to apply? Then please click Apply and upload your anonymised CV and supporting statement discussing your relevant skills and experience and explain how you believe they make you a strong fit for this role.

Within Greater Manchester, local authorities have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex-military personnel. Please see greater.jobs for further information before you apply.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Employment offers are conditional subject to satisfactory clearances. For roles where a criminal records check from the DBS is required, this includes satisfactory clearance of this check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily bar an individual from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of an individual’s offence/s. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. Bolton Council’s policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders is available here.

This post is a designated customer facing role under the fluency duty and requires a specified level of spoken English as per the person specification.

This organisation has signed up to the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment. That means we will recognise your continuous or ‘unbroken’ service in any Greater Manchester local authority or NHS organisation that has signed the commitment, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service or Greater Manchester Combined Authority, giving you access to our service-related benefits. Please see the home page of greater.jobs for more information.

For more information about working for Bolton Council, please see greater.jobs; for advice and support with your application, contact recruitment@bolton.gov.uk