North Yorkshire and York Council are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated person/s to chair the Joint One Adoption North and Humber panel for the regional adoption agency, One Adoption North and Humber.  This agency comprises of five local authorities: Hull City Council, North East Lincolnshire Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council, all of whom work together to provide services for children who are in need of permanent homes outside of their family and families.

One Adoption North and Humber has two joint panels the North panel and the Humber panel.  The North panel services children and families from the York and North Yorkshire areas and the Humber panel serves the children and families from the Hull, North East Lincolnshire and East Riding areas.  This post is specifically for the North region and the successful candidate/s will sit on the joint North Yorkshire and York adoption panel.

The joint adoption panel makes recommendations on cases presented which includes plans of adoption for children, adopter approvals and matches between children and adoptive families.  The panel has an important function in the quality assurance of reports and ensuring a degree of independent scrutiny over cases presented and reporting back to the agency. 

We are committed to providing the best service for adoptive families, children and their birth families. We are determined to drive forward best practice across our region with creativity and innovation, the adoption panel has an important role in this.   We are committed to improving our service through listening to the voice of our service users.   

The panel chair is paid a fee per panel which is set at £400 plus travel expenses (where applicable).  This includes all reading of papers and preparation for the panel, chairing of the meeting and finalising of the minutes.  The chair manages panel members in the meeting and completes annual reviews of all members alongside the agency advisor.  The panel chair is supported in their role by vice chairs.

Who can apply?

Candidates will need a sound knowledge of adoption.  This needs to include an understanding of permanency planning for children, the impact of trauma and loss and the lifelong nature of adoption.  You will need to understand the recruitment and assessment of adopters and adoption support.   A working knowledge of relevant legal frameworks, national standards and regulations is required.  You will also need to demonstrate the excellent communication and interpersonal skills necessary to deal with sensitive situations and be able to analyse and explain complex information.  You will require excellent interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills and have the ability to identify key issues, problems and solutions and have experience of chairing complex meetings.

For an informal chat please contact Rachel Hunter, Team Manager rachael.hunter@northyorks.gov.uk or Claire Dimmey Service Manager for the North region claire.dimmey@northyorks.gov.uk  

Suitably qualified applicants are requested to email their CV and supporting statement to our Business Support Team,

 AdoptionAdmin.Thurston@northyorks.gov.uk

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.