Hull City Council
Independent Foster Panel Chair
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Independent Foster Panel Chair
Independent Fostering Panel Chair – Hull City Council
Exciting Opportunity to Join Hull’s Fostering Panel
Number of Vacancies: 1 Time Type: Variable Worker Type: Appointed Proposed Interview Date: Monday, August 3, 2026 Hours of Work: 1–2 panels per month (~£400 per panel) Contact: Hiring Manager: Jayne Betts Contact Number: 01482 615264 x5264 Email: Helen Hitchin (Application Contact) – Helen.hitchin@hullcc.gov.uk | Tel: 01482 615724
About the Role
Hull City Council is transforming child and young people’s services, committing to high-quality support, strong relationships, and outstanding outcomes. A rare opportunity has emerged for an Independent Fostering Panel Chair due to a retirement—ideal for an experienced social worker with a fostering background.
The successful candidate will chair 1–2 fostering panels per month, ensuring:
- Panel business aligns with regulations and best practice.
- Professional, fair, and efficient case deliberations.
- Ongoing development of the Ofsted-rated “Good” fostering service.
Hull’s Fostering Service excels in:
- Consistently high-quality care for children.
- Trained, supported, and confident foster carers.
- Stable, nurturing relationships promoting safety and development.
Ofsted-rated outcomes in 2026:
- Good overall (average is 55% makes this exceptional).
- Outstanding for leadership impact on social work.
Responsibilities
Key Duties
- Chair panel meetings, ensuring compliance with regulations, policies, and ethical standards.
- Preparatory work: Review Panel papers, identify key issues, and liaise with the Panel Team Coordinator if cases require scrutiny.
- Facilitate discussion: Encourage active participation, evidence-based recommendations, and respectful engagement.
- Conflict and diversity management: Address any inherent bias, ensure anti-discriminatory practices, and uphold confidentiality.
- Minutes and accountability:
- Ensure accurate, clear minutes are drafted, capturing dissenting views.
- Agree draft minutes with panel members before submission to decision-makers.
- Forensic decision-making:
- Assess case adequacy for Panel review.
- Determine observer attendance and Panel member conflicts of interest.
- Decide on extra panels when necessary.
- Oversight and governance:
- Support recruitment and termination of Central List/Panel members.
- Conduct annual/as-needed performance reviews of Panel members.
- Policy and training:
- Assist in policy development and monitoring fostering standards.
- Share expertise in annual training for Panel members (at least 1 day/year).
- Contribute to an annual report on Panel activities.
- Liaison:
- Communicate with senior managers and the Agency Decision Maker on concerns.
- Maintain transparency on general and individual case issues.
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Requirements
Essential Criteria
✅ In-depth knowledge of:
- Permanency planning for children.
- Trauma, loss, and lifelong impacts of fostering.
- Foster carer recruitment, assessment, and support.
- Legal frameworks (e.g., Children Act, Care Planning Regulations).
✅ Expertise in fostering regulations and Ofsted standards. ✅ Exceptional communication skills:
- Interpersonal confidence to navigate sensitive cases.
- Analytical facility to interpret complex information objectively.
✅ Meeting chairing experience, particularly in complex, high-stakes discussions.
Preferred Acceptance
🔹 Extensive social work or fostering leadership background. 🔹 Experience in panel membership or voluntary governance. 🔹 (Not stated, but assumed) Alignment with Hull Council’s values of compassion, professionalism, and child-centred care.
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Application Process
Informal discussion: email Helen Hitchin at Helen.hitchin@hullcc.gov.uk or call 01482 615724.
Application submission: ➡ Deadline: 20th July 2026 by midnight. ➡ Fill out the using the Candidate Information Pack defined in [})[Hull Fostering Panel Chair.docx]
Ensure your CV+supporting statement clearly shows:
- How you meet the essential criteria outlined above.
- Relevant fostering/panel experience.
Benefits of Working with Hull City Council
- Competitive rates: £400 per panel (additional hours/bonuses may apply).
- 23 days annual leave (plus 8 public holidays + 3 extra days).
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with strong contributions.
- Professional development: Access to tailored training and career pathways.
- Culture: Forward-thinking, inclusive, and tightly focussed on community values.
Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion
Hull City Council is committed to a diverse, equal, and inclusive workforce. Name-blind recruitment is used during shortlisting—this information isn’t visible to hiring managers until a final decision is made. Equality data remains confidential.
(Note: Social media searches may be conducted as part of the recruitment process.)
By joining Hull City Council, you’ll make a profound difference in the lives of Hull’s most vulnerable children. Together, let’s build a legacy of support.
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