About The Role Working Hours: 28 Hours per week (4 days) Contract Type: Full time / Permanent Closing Date: 08 April 2025 Closing time: 11.59pm Interview Method: In Person (Face to Face) Interview Date: This role is subject to - 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' employment history. Social Work Qualification and registration with Social Work England Medical Clearance - Pre-placement health assessment (PPHA) DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request. Manchester City Council are looking to recruit a dynamic Fostering Panel Advisor. The role of Panel Advisor includes providing professional, regulatory, and procedural advice to the fostering panel and the wider workforce. The panel advisor ensures that arrangements for panel are co-ordinated in advance and that the panel meetings run smoothly. We are looking for an Advisor to support our ambitions, through inspirational leadership, effective partnership working and a determined focus on placing children, families and young people at the heart of what we do. For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Billie Walbank, at 07534969229 and billie.walbank@manchester.gov.uk to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role. About the Candidate We would love to hear from you if you have experience of the below: Essential requirements for the role: Communication and Interpersonal Skills – Is able to effectively transfer key and complex information to all levels of staff, adapting the style of communication as necessary and ensuring that this information is understood. Ability to communicate equally, appropriately and effectively with the widest range of individuals and groups across all sectors and levels of society. Planning and Organising – Ability to organise own time effectively, creating own work schedules, prioritising, preparing in advance and setting realistic timescales for own self and others. Has the ability to visualise a sequence of actions needed to achieve a specific goal and how to estimate the resources required. Ability to maintain focus and objectivity under various conditions and skill in managing and maintaining a multi-priority workload, progressing various ideas and plans concurrently. Analytical Skills – Demonstrate the ability to apply analytical and logical thinking to gathering and analysing information, designing and testing solutions to problems, and formulating plans. Application of strong analytical reasoning skills and intellectual focus, taking in the wider external and internal environments. Problem Solving and Decision Making – Ability to react to immediate problems of a highly complex nature with associated risk factors and deliver immediate solutions sometimes under extreme pressure. Creative Skills - Ability to think creatively to plan and examine potential business processes and operating models and to develop arrange of creative and original solutions that meet the strategic needs of the business. ICT Skills – Ability to use IT systems to retrieve, record and update information and willingness to learn to use new systems. Technical requirements Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England To be able to provide a thorough knowledge and understanding of the legal framework relating to Looked After Children including National Minimum Standards. Seek to gain specialist knowledge and understanding of the specific area of Fostering. Be aware of political or legislative changes in relation to and the impact that this may have on operation services. Thorough knowledge and understanding of Fostering legislation, guidance and Manchester policies and good practice. Willingness and consent to apply for a DBS check About Us We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities. Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone. is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours: We take time to listen and understand We work together and trust each other We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things We’re proud and passionate about Manchester Benefits we offer Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks. A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum. Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events. Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more. Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process. A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life. Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits. Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people. Support During the Process Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview. Accessible Formats: Our can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our . This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone. Guaranteed Assessment Scheme We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below: Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans Current or former care leavers Have a disability or long-term condition When You Join Us We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering: A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work. Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice. A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly. For more information about the role or any adjustments, email . What we will need from you if you’re successful In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship. Pre-Employment Checks If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include: Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role. References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s). Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role. Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council. Police Vetting: Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive law enforcement systems or information. Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance: BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets. It ensures that individuals meet basic security requirements and can be trusted with sensitive information Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence. These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve. Other relevant information We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached. . Use this service to estimate how much Income Tax and National Insurance you should pay for the current tax year. Manchester City Council. Location : Manchester, United Kingdom