Foster Carer Review Chair

Job Description

Are you an experienced social work professional with a strong commitment to high‑quality fostering practice, safeguarding, and the rights of children and young people? Aberdeenshire Council is seeking an Independent Foster Carer Review Chair to support the fostering service by providing objective, skilled oversight of Foster Carer Annual Reviews.

As an independent chair, you will bring professional curiosity, strong analytical skills and the ability to challenge constructively. You will ensure that reviews are robust, fair, child‑centred and compliant with statutory and policy requirements. Your work will contribute directly to improving outcomes for children and young people and strengthening corporate parenting responsibilities.

There is a responsibility for the post holder to demonstrate a commitment to quality service delivery through continuous improvement for the benefit of the Service and the organisation.

Working Arrangements: Flexible, relief‑based working hours. Full induction and access to fostering policies, procedures and support will be provided. Quarterly meetings with the Fostering Service Manager and fellow Review Chairs.

Informal enquiries to Sara Youngson Tel - 01467 536596

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Requirements

This post requires a Disclosure Scotland Check and where an individual has spent a continuous period of 3 months or more out with the UK in the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check. You will be required to provide this check. A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of both these pre-employment checks being deemed satisfactory. 

This post has a minimum requirement of two references, one of which must be your current or most recent employer.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Chair Foster Carer Annual Reviews in line with statutory guidance and local procedures.
• Provide independent scrutiny of assessments, practice, and supporting evidence.
• Explore with fostering families, social workers and partner agencies how Foster Carers are meeting the needs of the children in their care.
• Identify strengths, development areas, and any required support, training, or conditions of registration.
• Produce clear, evidence‑based recommendations for the Fostering Panel and Agency Decision Maker.
• Contribute to quality assurance, continuous improvement and high standards across the fostering service.
• Work collaboratively with fostering staff, social workers and multi‑agency partners to uphold safe, nurturing and rights‑based care.

The Individual

We are looking for someone who brings:

• A BA (Hons) in Social Work or equivalent and SSSC registration.
• Significant post‑qualification experience in child care, child protection, or looked‑after children practice.
• Experience of chairing multi‑agency meetings, managing complex information and facilitating balanced discussion.
• Strong understanding of child development, trauma, attachment and the needs of care‑experienced children.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce analytical, high‑quality review reports.
• Confidence, impartiality and professional resilience when managing sensitive or challenging situations.

Why This Role Matters

Aberdeenshire is strengthening the stability and independence of its review process, and is seeking dedicated and flexible individuals with the ability to pick up reviews across a large geographical area, and visiting Foster Carers in their own homes to lead thoughtful, respectful, and relationship-centred reviews that recognise the importance of stable, loving, and nurturing care for children and young people. The role may at times require work during the evening to accommodate Foster Carers’ availability and to ensure that reviews are conducted in a way that is respectful of family routines and responsibilities.

The role demands expertise in children’s social work, ensuring that each review is a supportive space where Foster Carers’ strengths are acknowledged, their voices are heard, and their development needs are explored with compassion and clarity. Through skilled chairing, reflective discussion, and high-quality recording, the role contributes directly to improving the quality of care and strengthening the relationships that matter most to children.  This will help ensure consistency in the completion of annual reviews, supporting carers to provide safe, reliable and high‑quality care—and keeping children’s voices, rights and safety at the heart of all decision‑making.