Family Group Conference Practitioner

About the role

You will be responsible for working across Lincolnshire to bring together family networks to hold Family Group Conferences with the aim of supporting them to develop their own solutions in circumstances where there are safeguarding concerns. Working restoratively to develop effective working relationships to deliver coordinated support to Children, Young people and their Families keeping the child’s voice at the centre.

You will need to ensure the service is delivered in line with the principles that underpin the Family Group Conferencing model (FGC) and build effective professional relationships with Children’s Social Care and Early Support services in order to develop and embed a high quality, effective Family Group Conferencing Service across Lincolnshire.

About the opportunities

We have 6 fixed term posts until November 2025  available covering the following localities: East Lindsey North, East Lindsey South, South Kesteven, North Kesteven, West Lindsey and Lincoln. There is a possibility these posts could become permanent. 

There is also one FGC Practitioner post available, that is a permanent contract, covering the locality of Boston and South Holland.

About you

If you are interested in this area of work and have the following skills, then this could be the ideal development opportunity for you:

• Knowledge and understanding of the role of other agencies/agencies who work with children and families
• Educated at degree level or an NVQ/Level 4 qualification in a relevant subject e.g. Health, Social Care or Youth
• Understanding of child development and issues facing young people
• Ability to establish a good working relationship with referrers and communicate with all family members including children and young people enabling them to take an active part in the FGC process and able to provide professional advice, training and consultancy to staff
• A good level of IT skills and the use or related systems to record, update and provide information and reports.

To be shortlisted please demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria on the job description and evidence within your application. Please do not attach CV’s as the application form will only be accessed. Please make it clear on your application, what location you would prefer to work within.

What is Pathfinder?

The pathfinder was formally announced in July 2023 as part of the government’s children’s social care implementation strategy, ‘Stable Homes, Built on Love’ and responds to recommendations from the independent review of children’s social care and the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel’s report on child protection.  

This brings an exciting opportunity for Lincolnshire who are recognised within the sector as an innovative and transformational authority to take the lead in co-design and development of new ways of working.  The pathfinder has been created to bring about innovative reforms to Family Help, Child Protection, Statutory Safeguarding Partnerships and in unlocking the potential of Family Networks for children and families across Lincolnshire.

The pathfinder draws on evidence and existing good practice, including from other government programmes including Family Hubs and Start for Life, Supporting Families, Reducing Parental Conflict and Strengthening Families. The pathfinder will seek to develop greater use of family networks, with increased use of Family Group decision-making, facilitated by support packages to remove any financial or practical barriers family networks may experience in caring for children.

In Lincolnshire we will work alongside key government agencies and local partners including Police, Health and Education within Lincolnshire to support the co-design and creation of a future system where we support families in a new way and develop a stronger multi-agency and expert child protection response.  Our work on this pathfinder will be captured and evaluated by the Department for Education, with a view towards wider national sector led improvement.

About Our Offer:

Along with a competitive salary we are offering: 

• A Contributory pension
• Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work
• Flexible working policies
• Career progression opportunities
• A generous annual leave entitlement plus the option to buy more

Further details can be found in our rewards and benefits brochure

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Sally Wright via sally.wright@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Interviews will be held on 7th and 8th March.

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. 

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.