Family Group Decision Making Worker

Lincolnshire County Council; East Lindsey; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension

Discount schemes

Cycle to work

Flexible working policies

Career progression opportunities

Generous annual leave entitlement

Job summary

Lincolnshire County Council is seeking a passionate Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) Worker to join our countywide services on a fixed term or secondment basis for 12 months in East Lindsey. The role focuses on leading strengths-based, family‑led meetings to plan for the safety and wellbeing of children.

You will coordinate the FGDM process from referral to final plan, ensuring every voice is heard and that families build sustainable support networks.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or NVQ Level 4 or equivalent.
• Understanding of the Children Act 1989 and current social care practice.
• Experience convening emotive meetings to achieve positive outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate and chair FGDM meetings with families and professionals.
• Coordinate the FGDM process from referral to final plan.
• Document plans and share copies with all participants.
• Empower families to design sustainable, family-led safety plans.

Skills

Facilitation / chair meetings

Verbal & written communication

Relationship building with families

Interagency collaboration

Education

Degree level or NVQ Level 4 or equivalent

Job description

Job Title: Family Group Decision Making Worker Contract Type: Fixed term or secondment basis for the period of 12-months Hours: 37 hours Pay: £33,673-£36,581 Closing date: 20th September 2026 Interviews: 5th October 2026

Overview of Service

We are seeking a passionate and skilled Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) Worker to join our countywide service on a fixed term or secondment basis for the period of 12-months in Lincolnshire, covering the East Lindsey locality. This is a full-time, permanent position within a high‑performing team that is part of the core offer in Family Help, Family assessment Support Teams (FAST), Children in Care (CiC) Teams, and Leaving Care. As an FGDM Worker, you will play a pivotal role in facilitating strengths-based, family‑led meetings that empower families to create their own plans for the safety and well‑being of their children. You will coordinate and lead the FGDM process, which includes: Planning Phase: Engaging with family network members to explore their capacity to support the child and family. Family Meeting Phase: Creating a safe and inclusive space for families, friends, and professionals to collaboratively develop a sustainable, family‑led plan. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a service that values innovation, collaboration, and family empowerment. You will be part of a team that is committed to improving outcomes for children and families through restorative and relational approaches. Due to recent changes in immigration law in the UK we are unable to offer skilled worker visa sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the requirements of RQF Level 6.

What You’ll be doing as an FGDM Worker

As an FGDM Worker, your role is to act as an impartial facilitator for families who need to create a plan for the safety and well‑being of their children. Your primary responsibility is to bring together the family's network—including parents, children, grandparents, and other trusted relatives or friends—along with relevant professionals like Social Workers, Family Help Workers, and External Partners. You will guide this group through a structured process that enables them to have a private, uninterrupted discussion where they can identify their own strengths and resources. The goal is for the family to design and agree upon a plan that addresses any concerns and ensures the children are safe, supported, and cared for. You are responsible for the entire FGDM process, from the initial referral to the final plan. This includes preparing the family by explaining the process and helping them invite key members. During the meeting, you ensure that every family member's voice is heard and that the conversation remains constructive. Your role is not to make decisions for the family but to empower them to find their own solutions. Once the plan is created, you will document it and provide a copy to all participants. Ultimately, your work is about strengthening family bonds and helping them build a sustainable support network that can continue to function long after your involvement ends.

What We're Looking For

• Educated to degree level, NVQ Level Four or equivalent and with demonstrable ability to convene and chair emotive meetings in a constructive manner to achieve positive outcomes.
• Knowledge of Children Act 1989 and of current social care practice and child protection procedures.
• Demonstrable ability to work with families and statutory and voluntary agencies.
• Knowledge and understanding of family dynamics.
• A clear understanding of and ability to ensure the delivery of services within an equal opportunities’ framework.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including good communication skills with children and young people and excellent report writing skills.

About Our Offer

• 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 about the benefits of working for Lincolnshire County Council are attached.

Our values

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. Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco‑conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.