Location
London Borough of Waltham Forest

Hours
Full Time - 36 hours per week

Salary
PO1/PO2 £41,133 - £45,750

About the Role
We are delighted to announce an opportunity for the role of Family Group Conference (FGC) Practitioner within the Family Group Decision-Making Team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated Practitioner to develop their skills in family-led decision making and restorative practice, supporting children, young people and their families to identify solutions and develop sustainable plans that promote safety, wellbeing and positive outcomes.
As an FGC Practitioner, you will arrange, coordinate and facilitate Family Group Conferences and Reviews, working alongside children, families, wider family networks and professionals. You will support families to develop and implement their own plans, ensuring that children's voices remain central to the process and that plans are developed in line with Family Rights Group principles and protocols.
Working within Waltham Forest's strengths-based practice model, you will build relationships with compassion, curiosity, collaboration, responsibility and creativity. You will also hold a caseload and provide advice and guidance throughout the Family Group Conference process, working closely with Children's Social Care and partner agencies.
There are two full-time permanent positions and one full-time fixed term (12 months) position providing maternity cover. The fixed-term contract duration may be subject to change depending on the return of the employee on maternity leave.
This role requires UK work authorisation that does not require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

Key Responsibilities
- Facilitate Family Group Conferences and review meetings
- Empower children, young people and families to develop their own support plans
- Work collaboratively with social workers, schools, health professionals and community partners
- Manage a caseload and maintain accurate records and reports
- Promote safeguarding and identify escalating risks
- Engage effectively with diverse and hard-to-reach families
- Support continuous service improvement and professional development
- Occasionally work outside normal office hours to meet service needs

Experience
- Significant experience working with children, young people and families within community-based services
- Strong understanding of Family Group Conferences, strengths-based and solution-focused practice
- Experience engaging and motivating children, families and professionals from diverse backgrounds
- Ability to facilitate groups, manage complex family dynamics and build effective relationships
- Knowledge of safeguarding, care planning and relevant legislation relating to children and families
- Experience assessing and managing risk, making sound professional judgements and escalating concerns appropriately
- Excellent communication, organisation and report-writing skills

About you
- Commitment to culturally responsive, anti-discriminatory and relational practice
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and meet service deadlines

Qualifications
- English and Math qualifications
- Relevant NVQ Level 2 or 3 qualification
- Degree in any discipline or willingness to work towards one
- Willingness to work towards Family Rights Group accreditation if not already accredited
- Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks
- Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check
- Continued professional body registration
- Fluent spoken English sufficient for effective role performance