Panel Advisor - Fostering & Adoption

Fostering & Permanency Panel Advisor
Location: Southend-on-Sea, Essex, Hybrid working available - 2 days on site minimum
Salary: £53,460-£58,959
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
Department: Children & Public Health
Reports To: Service Manager – Corporate Parenting (Fostering & Adoption)

About the Role
We are working on behalf of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and are seeking an experienced and dedicated professional to join their Children’s Services as a Fostering & Permanency Panel Advisor.
This pivotal role will act as the Council’s lead expert on fostering and permanency panels, ensuring that children in care achieve timely and appropriate permanence across adoption, special guardianship, residence orders, family and friends, and long-term foster care. You will manage and coordinate fostering panels, develop systems and best practices, and provide guidance and quality assurance to panel chairs and members.
You will work closely with service managers, team managers, independent reviewing officers, and children’s social workers to maintain management information systems, undertake audits, and drive continuous improvement across the service.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the Permanency & Fostering Panel, including training, development, and quality assurance for chairs and panel members.
• Lead on analysis and reporting of Permanency Panel and practice trends, identifying areas of excellence and areas for improvement.
• Develop and embed permanency and panel policies and best practices across Children’s Services.
• Ensure high-quality permanence planning for children looked after, attending panels and planning meetings.
• Lead audits and quality assurance processes, providing actionable insights for service development.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to social work staff, panel chairs, and members.
• Manage panel-related budgets, including training and panel member expenses.
• Deputise for the Service Manager as required and contribute to the wider management group.

About You
The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
• Have substantial experience in children’s services, fostering, or policy development.
• Be skilled in audit design, data analysis, and quality assurance processes.
• Demonstrate strong leadership, communication, and influencing skills.
• Be confident in working independently, driving change, and developing effective strategies and processes.
• Have a commitment to achieving excellent outcomes for children and young people.
• Understand diversity and inclusion issues and their impact on service quality.

If you're ready for your next meaningful role and meet the requirements above, apply today! You can also send me your most recent CV to Nicola.mansfield@servicecare.org.uk or contact me directly to learn more on 01772 208964.