Enjoy better health and increased independence. Feel safe, supported, and valued in their communities.
Our Values
- Ambitious: Striving for excellence for our communities and citizens
- Courageous: Addressing challenges head‑on with bold decision‑making
- Empowering: Supporting our staff to succeed and make a meaningful impact
About the Role
The Family Practitioner plays a crucial role in working with children, young people, and families, using a restorative and strengths‑based approach. This includes providing targeted interventions, facilitating family engagement, and contributing to service planning and delivery.
Political Restriction: This is a politically restricted post under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (as amended).
Reporting Relationships
Reports To: Family Practitioner Lead
Direct Reports: None
- Use restorative practice to support children staying with or returning to their families, or stabilising placements with foster carers
- Plan and deliver family group conferences, professional meetings, and community engagement events
- Act as key worker for children and families, coordinating early help assessments and working alongside social workers on safeguarding and care plans
- Contribute to parenting assessments, crisis intervention, mediation, and conflict resolution, including Life Story Work
- Deliver focused work on issues such as safeguarding, emotional wellbeing, behaviour, attachment, loss, and exploitation
- Employ creative and flexible methods to support families, adapting to individual needs
- Maintain accurate case records, reports and assessments
- Work outside standard hours—including evenings and weekends—as needed to meet family needs
Professional Accountabilities
- Financial responsibility: Deliver services efficiently and manage resources within the allocated budget
- People management: Engage in performance development and staff support processes
- Equality and diversity: Ensure all work promotes inclusion and complies with anti‑discriminatory legislation
- Climate responsibility: Promote sustainability in line with council policy
- Health and safety: Maintain a safe working environment that complies with Health & Safety policy
- Safeguarding: Prioritise the safety and welfare of vulnerable children and families
Qualifications
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification in working with children and families (Essential)
- Evidence of continued professional development in areas related to family support or children's services (Desirable)
Knowledge and Experience
- Proven experience working directly with vulnerable children, families and carers in statutory or voluntary settings
- Knowledge of child development, trauma, and how adverse experiences impact behaviour and well‑being
- Understanding of the complexities of mental health, substance misuse, domestic abuse and poverty
- Familiarity with local partner agencies and their roles in multi‑agency family support
- Working knowledge of current legislation, policy and guidance in children's social care
- Experience delivering or supporting evidence‑based parenting programmes (Desirable)
- Skilled in undertaking assessments and making professional judgments
Skills and Competencies
- Strong communication and engagement skills with children, young people and families
- Ability to build trusted relationships and deliver impactful interventions
- Conflict resolution, crisis management and de‑escalation skills
- Competent in using digital systems, maintaining accurate records and writing reports
- Commitment to restorative approaches in all professional interactions
- Must hold a valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work (Essential Car User)
Additional Information
This post supports the council's commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme. Applicants who meet the minimum criteria and identify as disabled will be guaranteed an interview.
Job Types
Full‑time, Temp to perm
Pay
£15.00–£16.86 per hour
Schedule
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
Licence/Certification
- Driving licence (required)