This workshop is a must for any worker faced with an upcoming Hearing or charged with writing a report for Court for permanence applications or kinship care orders. Aimed at the social worker new to children and family teams and in permanence or kinship teams, and for more experienced practitioners looking to sharpen their practice.
The role of the supervising social worker is a complex one, with many different elements including managerial, supervisory, educative and support functions. This training provides supervising social workers with the opportunity to consider how the role has evolved, the various strands of their work with foster carers and how to supervise, support and challenge foster carers in supervision. Also, how to manage difficult conversations and exercise safeguarding responsibilities.
The assessment of family members and known adults as kinship carers for a child or young person unable to live with their birth family is one of the most complex that a worker can undertake. It is only through the completion of full and robust assessments that decisions can be made in the child’s best interests.
The role of assessing prospective adopters and foster carers is a skilled one requiring an extensive knowledge and understanding of what children and young people need as outlined by The Promise. Conducting foster carer reviews is equally as important. The interface between the assessing and supervising social worker and adoption and fostering panels can be both complex as well as interesting. This workshop will explore this key aspect of family placement work.
Achieving felt and legal permanence without drift or delay is one of the practitioner’s primary considerations when working with families. The individual needs of each child and their unique family circumstances demand that planning for permanence is tailored to achieve the best outcome for the child.
The expectations of the panel adviser can vary across different agencies, so this workshop will look at the core requirements of the role in terms of quality assurance, maintaining consistency, providing and promoting a feedback loop and supporting everyone involved in panels to participate as fully as possible. It is a complex and at times, a challenging role and therefore discussions will take place in a supportive and safe environment.
The role of the minute taker in adoption and fostering panels is a crucial one. Adoption and fostering panels are underpinned by specific legal and regulatory requirements. Therefore, minute takers need to have a sufficient understanding of these requirements in order to produce a minute that is relevant, clear and appropriate.
