Independent Chair of Suffolk Fostering Panel

• Suffolk County Council

• Address: Ipswich Suffolk IP1 2BX

• Salary: 55 per hour plus travel expenses

• Hours: Part time

• Contract: Zero Hours Contract

• Reference:0566

We are looking for an experienced and aspirational person to lead our Fostering Panel which considers fostering and kinship approvals as well as foster carer reviews for those already approved to care for our children and young people in care.

Suffolks Fostering Panels meet weekly on a Monday usually 3 times a month; and may be a half or full days. The majority of panels will be held virtually but some will be held in person at Endeavour House in Ipswich. Whilst the Chair has the support of two Vice Chairs there is an expectation that they will lead the majority of Panel meetings throughout the year.

Your responsibilities

As Fostering Panel Chair you will ensure that the Fostering Panel addresses all relevant procedural and practice issues in relation to the main categories of items brought before the panel and enables the Fostering Panel to make professionally sound and procedurally correct recommendations.

You will prepare for panel meetings reading all panel papers carefully and critically identifying key issues and alerting the panel adviser as necessary to ensure as far as possible the case is suitable for panel hearing.

You will also take part in the recruitment and appointment of central list panel members and advise the fostering service on appointments to the panel.

The Fostering Panel has a role in monitoring the quality of work presented to the Panel and you will both facilitate the panel in this function and be confident to give clear and independent feedback to the Fostering and Kinship services including to senior managers on quality issues that arise from panel work.

You will also assist in developing promoting and monitoring policies and procedures and high standards of work in the fostering and kinship services.

Full details are set out in the job description attached.

What you will need

• you will have existing experience of chairing complex meetings including panel style meetings e.g. fostering and kinship or adoption/permanence; dealing with a significant amount of information which may have an emotional impact on participants

• you will have the authority expertise and competence to chair a panel commanding respect of all participants; and be able to facilitate discussion and encourage active contribution of those attending panel

• you will have excellent interpersonal and listening skills and ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds and in different roles

• a strong commitment to the values underlying the policies of the Suffolk Fostering and Kinship Services and to achieving best outcomes for Suffolks children is essential.

We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds as equality diversity and inclusion are key considerations of Suffolks Fostering Panel.

However as per the Fostering Regulations 2011 the person who chairs the Fostering Panel must be independent of the fostering service provider i.e. they cannot be an employee of Suffolk County Council.

About us / What we will offer you

Suffolk Fostering Service is part of Suffolk County Council Children and Young Peoples Services. As an Independent Panel Chair to Suffolks Fostering Panel you will benefit from close working relationships with the panel adviser and panel co-ordinators and have opportunities to network with other independent panel chairs on a national level via Suffolks Coram BAAF membership.

There are learning and development opportunities which are a mixture of in person and virtual including Panel Development sessions offered annually and access to Suffolks extensive E-learning provision as well as CoramBAAF courses as applicable to the role.

We offer a fantastic working environment including diverse and active staff networks as well as the opportunity to improve the lives of Suffolk residents most importantly our children in care.

For more information

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification (pdf).

To find out more please contact Gill Davies by emailing: .

How to apply

To apply for this position please submit a CV and complete the Competency Questions (word).

Completed applications are to be emailed to:

Closing date: 12pm 22 January 2026.

Interview date: 30 January 2026.