Role Overview:
Would you like to make a real difference in transforming the lives of children with a plan for adoption? Adopt South are seeking to appoint a Panel Vice-Chair for Adopt South's Adoption Panels.
Adopt South's Panels are made up of a diverse range of people who have personal or professional experience relevant to adoption. Our panels consider whether prospective adopters are suitable to adopt and whether children should be matched with prospective adopters. If you have worked for any of these authorities, 12 months must have passed before you can be considered as a Panel Chair.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Experience, either professionally or personally or both, of the placement of children in adoptive and foster families and of children being cared for away from their birth family.
Experience of chairing complex meetings.

Knowledge

An appreciation of the effect of separation and loss on children.
An understanding of adoption regulations
An awareness of the richness of different kinds of families and their potential for meeting children's needs.
An understanding of the purpose and function of the panel and of the agency which the panel is serving. An understanding of the adoption process and practice and of the legislative framework for the work of the panel, or the capacity to develop this knowledge quickly.

Role Responsibilities:
To commit to attending at least one panel per month.
To read the circulated papers carefully before the panel meeting and to attend the meeting prepared to raise issues and to contribute to the panel discussion.
To prepare 2 pre panel questions per case within given timeframes.
To take responsibility for participating in the making of a recommendation for each case, drawing on professional knowledge and experience.
To attend meetings of the panels as specified on your member agreement.
To attend additional panels if you are reasonably able to.
To participate, with other members, in advising on policy and procedural matters as required.

About Us

Connect2Hampshire is a managed service agency owned by Hampshire County Council providing temporary, contract and interim opportunities into the Council. Our service is built on our values of ethical, trustworthy, and caring, and our profits are returned to our Local Authority shareholders.

Connect2Hampshire, part of Hampshire & Kent Commercial Services LLP, is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business and positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.