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Job Title: Panel Manager

Location: Hybrid working from the Bolton Office

Contract: Permanent / Full Time

Salary: up to £45,000 dependent on experience

About the Group

We are part of the National Fostering Group – the UK’s largest independent fostering family.

Our highly skilled and dedicated fostering community supports Local Authorities by providing short or long-term foster placements for thousands of vulnerable children and teenagers throughout the UK. All of our fostering agencies are officially recognised by Ofsted, Welsh and Scottish regulators as either ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’, so it is perhaps not surprising that more people choose to foster with our fostering agencies than any other fostering provider in the UK.

About the Role

The Panel Manager will lead, manage and oversee the effective delivery and full compliance of fostering panels across the National Fostering Group. This includes ensuring that all fostering panels operate consistently within legal frameworks, regulatory requirements and Group policies.

The Panel Manager will monitor and review the quality of the fostering process ensuring that the panels contribute positively to the recruitment, assessment, and approval of foster carers. This will include implementing continuous improvement initiatives and fostering a collaborative environment among panel members and other stakeholders across the Group.

A full list of responsibilities can be found on the job description.

Who we are looking for

The Panel Manager will be a highly experienced Social Worker with a deep understanding of fostering regulations, in particular in fostering panels and assessments. You will have experience working closely with foster carers, children and their families including chairing fostering panels and completing detailed Form F and risk assessments. You should be adept at making decisions and managing budgets effectively while maintaining a strong commitment to equal opportunities and non-discriminatory practices.

Excellent interpersonal skills are essential, as you will need to communicate confidently and sensitively with a range of stakeholders. You should be emotionally resilient, innovative and able to work both independently or collaboratively as appropriate.

You can find a full list of requirements on the attached Person Specification.

But what else is in it for you? Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional benefits and reward package including:

* Up to 39 days annual leave each year (25 base entitlement + 1 One moment in time + 8 bank holidays + ability to buy up to 5 extra days)

* Life Assurance

* Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions

* “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

* 4 day working week - after successful probation and based on performance

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

* A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits

* 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad

* Cycle to Work Schemes

* Electric Car Purchase Scheme

* & many more!!

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks.

We are an Equal Opportunities employer