Meet the team

 

Fostering Panel Advisor:

The Fostering Panel Advisor is there to help make sure that every fostering application is carefully and fairly considered. They support the Panel Chair and members by providing professional advice, ensuring assessments contain the information needed, and highlighting any areas that may need further discussion or clarification. The Panel Advisor helps the Panel consider the strengths, experiences and circumstances of prospective foster carers, alongside any potential challenges or risks, so that recommendations are well-informed and focused on what is best for children in care. They don’t make the final decision but play an important role in helping the Panel reach a balanced, evidence-based recommendation.

I have worked for Stoke on Trent for over 10 years within Children and Families Services. Prior to becoming the Panel Advisor, I was an Assessing Social Worker completing the fostering assessments and attending fostering panel. I have been the Panel Advisor for just over 1 year and have enjoyed this role as I have learnt so much about the fostering standards and regulations. On fostering panel we current have two panel chairs, Sharon and Siobhan and around 20 independent different panel members who sit on the weekly panel.