11 March 2015
Islanders are being encouraged to apply to become volunteer members of fostering and adoption panels run by Fostering and Adoption Jersey.
The panels should ideally represent a cross section of the community, and in particular, Fostering and Adoption Jersey would like to hear from more men, and from people from Jersey’s Polish and Portuguese communities to give the panels as good a balance as possible.
The Fostering Panel makes recommendations about the suitability of applicants wishing to foster as well as reviewing a carer’s progress and development.
The Adoption Panel makes similar recommendations for adopters and long term foster carers but is also asked to consider whether adoption is the right plan for a child, and the difficult task of recommending which adopters should be matched to which child.
Independent members are being recruited
The panels are made up of appointed advisors and independent members, and it is the independent members that the Fostering and Adoption Jersey team are seeking to recruit.
Minister for Health and Social Services, Senator Andrew Green said "These are valuable roles and we really appreciate the time which people give up to undertake the rewarding but responsible task of being on one of the panels."
Team Manager for Fostering and Adoption Jersey, Emmy Lindsey, said "We are looking for people who want to help us develop the best possible fostering and adoption service for Jersey. In particular we are keen to attract more men, and more people who represent our Polish and Portuguese communities onto the panels.
"The time commitment is not onerous, one to two hours per month, but panel members are expected to read detailed reports in advance.
"Members of the panels might have personal experience of fostering or adoption or perhaps might have worked in a relevant professional or caring profession. We give training and support to anyone who joins either of the panels."
Admission to either of the panels is subject to a police check and applicants must have a good command of the English language.
Anyone who would like to find out more about what is involved is asked to contact Fostering and Adoption Jersey by Friday 20 March 2015.
Call Fostering and Adoption Jersey on +44 (0)1534 443970
Email Fostering and Adoption Jersey
gov.je