Are you passionate about making a real difference in children’s lives?
Wrexham Council’s fostering panel is looking to recruit a vice chair – someone who can bring sound judgement, strong communication skills and the confidence to lead when it matters.
What does the vice chair do?
The fostering panel plays a crucial role in making recommendations about the approval and review of foster carers. As vice chair, you’ll sit as a full member of the panel – and you’ll need to be ready and prepared to step into the chair’s role whenever it’s needed, sometimes at short notice.
As vice chair and panel member, you will:
- read and consider case papers before each meeting
- attend panel meetings and contribute to informed, balanced decision-making
- use your own professional or personal experience to support robust discussions
- uphold principles of confidentiality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice
- attend at least one training day per year
- take part in annual reviews of your panel membership
Stepping up as chair
When acting as chair, you would be expected to:
- prepare for panel meetings, identifying key issues and alerting the panel adviser as to whether a case is adequate for submission to panel
- chair panel meetings, ensuring the panel operates in line with the relevant regulations, guidance, and the policies and procedures of the agency
- facilitate the active participation of all panel members, so that full consideration takes place and clear, well-evidenced recommendations are made – with clear and accurate minutes that also record any serious reservations
- work with the panel and the panel adviser to ensure key decisions are reached – such as whether a case is adequate for submission to panel, whether observers may attend, how to manage a panel member who declares an interest in a case, and whether an extra panel may be necessary
- ensure senior managers are aware of issues of concern, both in individual cases and more general matters, while safeguarding the confidentiality of all panel discussions
- support the recruitment of new panel members, review the performance of panel members with the panel adviser, and contribute to any consideration about terminating a panel member’s appointment, if required
- support the preparation of an annual report on the panel’s work, if required
Who are we looking for?
You don’t need to have been a foster carer or a social worker – although that experience is welcome. We’re looking for someone with a strong commitment to children’s welfare, who can:
- understand the needs of children in care
- analyse complex information
- work well in a team
- communicate clearly and respectfully
- bring diverse perspectives and life experiences
- confidently chair meetings
- step up into the chair’s role at short notice when needed – for example, in cases of sickness
- encourage discussion and analysis
We value voices from all backgrounds and welcome expressions of interest from underrepresented groups.
The successful candidate will need an enhanced DBS check.
Practical details
- this is not an employed role – the vice chair is self-employed and paid a fee per panel attended
- panels are held regularly, and we ask for a commitment to attending as agreed
- some flexibility to attend extra panels (if available) is helpful
Cllr Rob Walsh, lead member for children’s and family services, said: “Behind every fostering approval is a panel of people who take that responsibility seriously. A strong vice chair helps make sure every decision is fair, thorough and made with children at its heart. If that sounds like you, please get in touch.”
Interested?
If you’d like to find out more about becoming vice chair of our fostering panel, please get in touch with the fostering team manager on 01978 295329 or email fostering@wrexham.gov.uk.
The council welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, disability, sexuality, religious belief or age, and is committed to developing its bilingual workforce – we welcome applications from candidates who can work in both English and Welsh.
