Locum Safeguarding Qualified Social Worker

Fostering Panel Advisor

Brief Job Overview

 
We are seeking an experienced and qualified Fostering Panel Advisor to join the London Borough of Lambeth. This locum position plays a key role in supporting the Agency Decision-Making Process, ensuring that fostering panels are delivered to the highest professional standards. You will provide advice, oversight, and quality assurance across the fostering service, helping to maintain compliance with national legislation and standards. This role is office-based for two days per week as part of a hybrid working arrangement.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Agency Decision-Making Process and quality assure all reports presented to fostering panels and non-panel annual reviews.
• Act as the main point of communication and liaison between the fostering panels and the service, briefing the Service Manager and Agency Decision Maker on relevant matters.
• Ensure statutory requirements are met under:
   
     
  • Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011
       

  • National Minimum Standards (March 2011)
       

  • The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010
       

  • The Children Act 2004
     
• Manage and support the Panel Administrator to ensure all fostering panels are efficiently and appropriately administered.
• Assist the agency, in consultation with the Panel Chair(s), in the appointment, review, and termination of panel members.
• Provide high-level advice, guidance, and professional challenge to ensure the fostering service continues to meet its regulatory responsibilities.
• Promote a culture of best practice, continuous learning, and improvement across all fostering activities.

About You

 
You are a confident and experienced fostering professional with a sound understanding of fostering panel processes and statutory requirements. You bring leadership, analytical skills, and a commitment to supporting high standards of decision-making within fostering services. You value collaboration, quality assurance, and the development of reflective, child-focused practice.

Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker with registration through Social Work England (SWE).
• Significant post-qualified experience within fostering services or a related children’s social care setting.
• Experience of working with fostering panels and advising on complex fostering assessments or approvals.
• Thorough understanding of national policy, statutory guidance, and best practice in children’s social care.
• Proven ability to build effective working relationships with children, families, foster carers, and multi-agency professionals.
• Strong written and analytical skills with the ability to prepare clear, outcome-focused reports and recommendations.
• Experience supporting and empowering social workers to deliver high-quality, meaningful social work that drives positive outcomes.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively within a performance framework.

Contract & Salary

• Job Type: Locum
• Location: London Borough of Lambeth
• Service: Fostering
• Working Pattern: Hybrid – 2 days per week in the office
• Contract Length: Ongoing
• Salary: Negotiable, dependent on experience
• Working Hours: Part-time (2 days per week)

How to Apply

 
If you are a qualified Social Worker with fostering experience and a passion for ensuring high standards within fostering panel practice, we’d love to hear from you.  
Please apply using the form on the page.