The Consultant will provide services as a member of the fostering panel.

Services as outlined below:

• One hour and thirty minutes of advance reading time per new family assessment
• Thirty minutes of advance reading time per annual home review
• Fifteen minutes of advance reading time per change of approval
• Advance reading as necessary for all other matters
• For each 15 minutes of attendance on Panel day

Regulations decree that:

Panel members are required to inform the Provider immediately if they have been charged, cautioned or convicted for any criminal offence.

Other information

Panel dates are routinely the second and fourth Thursday of each month.  Where a third Panel is necessary it will be convened as necessary on the third Thursday.  Panel may be held at a range of By the Bridge offices.  You will be notified as soon as possible of any change of venue.

Fees are not paid for any Panel which is cancelled; By the Bridge will normally give two weeks’ notice, if cancellation is necessary.

Each member is expected to be thoroughly prepared for each Panel – having read and provided feedback on all assessments in advance. Schedules are often tight – arriving on, and keeping to, time is also important.

Paperwork will be e-mailed prior to Panel.  All information is confidential and must be permanently deleted or shredded once dealt with.

Panel business may also sometimes be conducted by telephone/conference call.

Should any area of conflict arise amongst Panel members it is hoped that a resolution can be achieved informally.  If necessary By the Bridge have a complaints procedure – to be provided on request.

Panel members must be alert to and declare any interests, specifically conflicts of interest, in any Panel matters.