Agency Decision Maker

Are you a Life Changer? Do you want to lean in and transform the life of a child? 

Compass Community puts children first through our therapeutic, innovative approach. Integrity, Courage and Care shape how we work. We listen deeply, challenge each other and fixing what needs fixing, together. 

This is the work. And we’d like you to be part of it. 

Compass Fostering is one of the leading fostering service providers in England & Wales.  At Compass we aspire to achieve outstanding outcomes for children and in partnership with our foster carers and stake holders.   

Our journey of growth and development is building, and as such, we are looking to recruit a full-time Fostering Agency Decision-Maker who will work across all 8 (becoming 9) of our registered fostering regions.

The Agency Decision-Maker will make decisions about the initial approval, re-approval, and terms of approval of approved foster carers.  The Agency Decision-Maker will provide consistent, robust and stable  management oversight and decision-making within the boundaries of Compass’ quality standards.   

The Agency Decision-Maker will also contribute to the regulatory compliance, and quality development of fostering across all community fostering agencies.  The Agency Decision-Maker will be approachable, professional and will make timely decisions which contribute to the smooth running of the business, and, respond to the changing needs of the business on a daily, weekly and routine basis.

The role is mostly usually, and during business hours.  Some work outside of hours will be required along with some travel as required to Compass offices for management meetings, at a regional or national level.

The Agency Decision-Maker, whilst not involved in the day to day operational management of the agency is a key member of the fostering management team and will be expected to discharge their responsibilities with professional conduct, Compass values and excellent communication skills.  The Agency-Decision-Maker is a line-managed role within the wider quality assurance and panel structure of Compass Fostering. 

About the Role

The Agency Decision Maker (“ADM”) will be part of the fostering management team, will carry out the regulatory duties of the Fostering Agency Decision Maker to consider the recommendations made by the fostering panel and Independent Reviewing Officer and then make and deliver decisions from these considerations.

The ADM will support the Director of Fostering, Heads of Fostering and other senior managers  in Compass Fostering’s  quality assurance, management and governance processes ensuring that it implements and delivers a child-centred model of care for children in our care.

KEY TASK AREAS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Service Delivery 

• Make agency decisions in a timely, planned way as well as reactively when it is required.
• Work alongside the Heads of Fostering across the Community to develop and deliver fostering services which maximise outcomes for children and young people living in our foster homes, and supports their safety, security and well- being.
• Undertake the role of Agency Decision-Maker, making objective, robust decisions on behalf of the Agency, ensuring these decisions are within ‘Hofstetter’ complianceand principles to make the final decision about approval and that these are communicated effectively to Heads of Fostering, operational managers,social work practitioners, foster parents and panel members and within statutory timeframes.
• Support the Director and Heads of Fostering to implement and monitor Compass’ policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with relevant UK legislation and the Fostering National Minimum Standards.
• Play a key role in the strategic development of the Community through provision of practised fostering management knowledge.
• Support Compass Fostering with quality assuranceto achieve continuous improvement in order to achieve/sustain a Good & Outstanding Ofsted judgements.

Compass Community, Team Working & Whole Service Collaboration 

• Ensure that equality and diversity are properly reflected and addressed in the documents upon which the post holder’s decisions are based and ensuring that there is evidence that the heritage needs of children have been identified and can be met by prospective foster parents.
• Provide regular reports to internal and external bodies as required by Compass Fostering and its Director and Heads of Fostering.
• Attendsupervision as required and decided by the senior line manager
• Attend quarterly meetings or other management meetings as required with Panel Chairs to monitor and review the effectiveness of fostering panel’s recommendations
• Contribute toinspection readiness, to strive for Outstanding in all areas.
• Contribute professional and strategic leadership to drive the development and sustainability of high qualityfostering homes for children and young people.
• Support the Director and Heads of Fostering to implement and monitor Compass’ policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with relevant UK legislation and the Fostering National Minimum Standards.

Compliance, Recording & Reporting 

• Contribute to the annual fostering panel reports in conjunction with Panel Chairs
• Support Compass Fostering with quality assuranceto achieve continuous improvement in order to achieve/sustain a Good & Outstanding Ofsted judgements.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge on new legislation, case law, policy guidance and local/ regional policy developments, and supporting the implantation of new legislation in conjunction with the Director and Heads of Fostering.

Experience 

• Social Work qualified and Social Work England registered; minimum of 5 years.
• Extensive post-qualifying experience of fostering / social care practice and management in the independent fostering sector
• Evidence of recent, self-directed, professional development and a commitment to continue.
• At least 3 years post-qualifying experience in childcare social work with knowledge of childcare law and practice, including 3 years minimum in the independent fostering sector.
• Significant and demonstrable knowledge and understanding of legislation and guidance, policy and procedures, and best practice in relation to functional responsibilities.
• Experience in performance management and the implementation of systems to support excellent performance.

Competencies 

• Excellent written communication skills and report-writing skills
• Ability to read reports and form decisions quickly based on agency’s needs reactively and responsively
• Confidence to both work autonomously within Fostering Regulations, and UK fostering legislation as well as ability to work within agency policy, boundaries and vision, ethics and values and also to work to line management directions
• Capacity to both attend meetings and be available to reach decisions as well as work outside of hours when needed.
• Capacity to work to tight and planned timescales in line with Ofsted, Care Inspectorate Wales and other regulatory frameworks
• Full UK driving licence and capacity to drive / travel across England and Wales as required