Job Purpose To act as a member of a professional team, providing a responsive fostering service to children and their families, where the Department is supporting them through either preventative or statutory intervention, with the purpose of safeguarding and promoting their welfare. To implement the policies and procedures and strategic objectives of Barking and Dagenham Children's Services. To assist children and their carers in the identification and resolution of problems they present wherever possible, within a framework of partnership and choice. Specific Accountabilities of the Role * To recruit and assess prospective foster families - including short term and respite. * To work closely with the children's social workers and other professionals involved with the children. * To attend strategy meetings, LAC Reviews, Fostering Panel and any other meetings as required. * To visit Foster Carers and undertake formal supervision and to offer advice and support to the fostering household. * To work in accordance with National Minimum Standards for Fostering Service. * To undertake F-Form Assessments of prospective foster carers and update Form Fs for current foster carers when necessary for the Fostering Panel. * * To work within the framework of legislation, guidance and regulations, particularly the Children Act 1989 and Pan London Child Protection Procedures. * To organise and participate in training courses for prospective carers. * To work to the policies and procedures of Barking & Dagenham Children's Services. * To contribute to the planning and development of the service provided by the team and promote the improvement of standards and quality assurance. * To prepare and present a range of reports, including Strategy Meeting Reports, Stability Meeting Reports and Placement Planning Meetings. * To attend Court and represent the Local Authority. * To be familiar with inputting data and generally using Barking and Dagenham's IT systems such as emails, spreadsheets and Word.