Adoption Panel Member
OFFERED BY:
Faith in FamiliesLocation(s): Outside of Nottingham City
Address where volunteering takes place: 7 Colwick Road West Bridgford Nottingham NG2 5FRHow many places are on offer? 4
Purpose of Role:
Our adoption panel needs you! If you have a personal or professional connection to adoption, fostering or a related area, you could become one of our adoption panel members.
ROLE DESCRIPTION:
We are seeking to add new adoption panel members to the Agency's well-established adoption panel. The panel consider applications made by prospective adoptive carers who wish to adopt children from Local Authority care.
We would like to recruit people with personal and/or professional experience of adoption, fostering or a related area.
We are particularly keen to recruit the following who are currently under-represented on our panel: male applicants, BME applicants, adopted adults, particularly young adopted adults who have experience of being "Looked After " in the care system, LGBT applicants and applicants with a disability.
Panels meet monthly at our offices in West Bridgford on a Wednesday (generally the second Wednesday of the month), usually for half a day (morning) but occasionally longer. "Papers" are sent out electronically one week ahead of the panel. Panel Members need to be able to read and analyse large amounts of written information, formulate appropriate questions and work as part of a professional group.
We currently have 10 panel members and each month around 7 panel members make up the meeting so we ask that you commit to attending a minimum of 50% of panels.
The Agency has an equal opportunities policy and welcomes applications from prospective adopters, staff and volunteers from all members of the community.
We would like to recruit people with personal and/or professional experience of adoption, fostering or a related area.
We are particularly keen to recruit the following who are currently under-represented on our panel: male applicants, BME applicants, adopted adults, particularly young adopted adults who have experience of being "Looked After " in the care system, LGBT applicants and applicants with a disability.
Panels meet monthly at our offices in West Bridgford on a Wednesday (generally the second Wednesday of the month), usually for half a day (morning) but occasionally longer. "Papers" are sent out electronically one week ahead of the panel. Panel Members need to be able to read and analyse large amounts of written information, formulate appropriate questions and work as part of a professional group.
We currently have 10 panel members and each month around 7 panel members make up the meeting so we ask that you commit to attending a minimum of 50% of panels.
The Agency has an equal opportunities policy and welcomes applications from prospective adopters, staff and volunteers from all members of the community.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
No formal qualifications are required for this role but a connection to and understanding of adoption are desirable. There is an induction process and an induction pack for new panel members and there is on-going training. We need people who have the following:
- Ability to analyse and interpret report content.
- Understanding, knowledge and experience relating to children and young people and their needs throughout their development.
- Understanding and knowledge of families and how a family is impacted by change.
- Awareness of the impact of loss and separation on both adults and children.
- Knowledge of couple relationships and relationships within wider networks.
- Commitment to adoption as a positive alternative for children.
- Sensitivity to issues of race, gender, disability, sexuality and religion.
- Commitment to regular attendance and participation in discussion and the shared responsibility for making a recommendation.
- Commitment to participation in Panel training and building up own knowledge of adoption.
- Commitment to the complete confidentiality of all information received in connection with the duties of a Panel Member.
- Understanding of and respect for the Agency's values, aims and objectives.
- Acceptance and respect of difference, including non-judgemental attitudes towards others' lifestyles and decisions.
- Ability to analyse and interpret report content.
- Understanding, knowledge and experience relating to children and young people and their needs throughout their development.
- Understanding and knowledge of families and how a family is impacted by change.
- Awareness of the impact of loss and separation on both adults and children.
- Knowledge of couple relationships and relationships within wider networks.
- Commitment to adoption as a positive alternative for children.
- Sensitivity to issues of race, gender, disability, sexuality and religion.
- Commitment to regular attendance and participation in discussion and the shared responsibility for making a recommendation.
- Commitment to participation in Panel training and building up own knowledge of adoption.
- Commitment to the complete confidentiality of all information received in connection with the duties of a Panel Member.
- Understanding of and respect for the Agency's values, aims and objectives.
- Acceptance and respect of difference, including non-judgemental attitudes towards others' lifestyles and decisions.
WHEN REQUIRED:
This grid shows when you can volunteer for this opportunity.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Are there age restrictions for this opportunity? Yes
Age Restrictions:
18+
Are there gender restrictions for this opportunity? No
Gender restrictions:
Is the opportunity accessible to disabled people? Yes
Disability restrictions:
How long before volunteer can expect a response?
We will try to respond to volunteer enquiries with one week
How long to complete training and recruitment?
Opportunity to observe a panel followed by informal chat with panel advisor and panel chair and induction pack. Induction training, annual training and occasional bite size training after panels.
Volunteer Expenses offered? Yes
Induction and Training offered? Yes
Support and Supervision offered? Yes
Has a risk assessment been carried out?
DBS Disclosure required? Yes