Barnardo’s Fostering Service, Northern Ireland

Role Description-Independent Fostering Panel Member

Main Responsibilities

  1. To be a member of the Barnardo’s Foster Care Panel and to attend monthly panel meetings.
  2. To log on to the CHARMS system, read and carefully consider reports provided in advance of panel meetings.
  3. To attend and contribute to discussions and recommendations made at panel meetings in relation to:
  • the approval of fostering applicants
  • the review of existing foster carers
  • the de-registration of foster carers
  • any other matters on which the panel is required to give an opinion
  1. To attend and participate in panel training events.
  2. To attend and contribute to fostering panel business meetings.
  3. To contribute to discussion with foster carers and fostering applicants at panel meetings.
  4. To provide constructive feedback to social workers presenting to panel.
  5. To maintain confidentiality in respect of the content of fostering panel reports and foster carers and applicants attending panel.
  6. To promote Barnardo’s fostering service through respectful and courteous contact with other panel members, applicants, foster carers and social workers attending.

Essential Criteria

  • Personal and/ or professional experience of foster care
  • Experience of looked after children either in a personal or professional capacity
  • Knowledge of child development and awareness of the impact of trauma, loss and disruption on children’s development
  • Experience of contributing to panel or group discussion and of decision-making in complex situations
  • Knowledge of fostering and child care legislation in Northern Ireland
  • Awareness of the Looked After and fosteringprocesses
  • An understanding of identity issues for children separated from parents and siblings and the complexities of family contact
  • Capacity to analyse complex and emotionally challenging reports
  • Excellent literacy and verbal communication skills
  • Experience in using complex IT programmes and access to a personal computer, laptop or ipad.
  • Respectful of diversity in all forms and the values underpinning equality of opportunity legislation in Northern Ireland

Please note:

  • Independent fostering panel members can not bein the employment of Barnardo’s nor currenly registered as Barnardo’s foster carers.
  • Panel members are expected to attend on a regular basis (a minimum attendance of 75% of meetings is accepted).
  • Panel meetings usually take place every month, normally in the morning and are 2-3 hours in duration.
  • Meetings take place in Barnardo’s fostering team office at 230B Belmont Road, Belfast.
  • Panel members will be paid £75.00 for each panel meeting attended plus travel expenses.
  • Panel members are self-employed and are responsible for declaring income earned for tax purposes.

For more information and an informal discussion about the role contact Helen Browne, Assistant Head of Business 028 9065 2288