Lead Practitioner Family Help - 37 Hours

Torbay Council; Torquay; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in Torquay is seeking a passionate Lead Practitioner to join their Children’s Services. In this role, you’ll work directly with families to deliver targeted interventions that promote resilience. The ideal candidate will have experience with children facing complex challenges and will be committed to professional development. This full-time position offers a competitive salary range of £31,537 - £34,434 per year and requires an enhanced criminal record check.

Benefits

Ongoing learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong background in working with children and families, especially those with complex needs.
• Confident in managing crisis situations and delivering high-quality, evidence-based interventions.
• Understanding of basic human needs, physical, emotional and social.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with children, young people, and families to develop and deliver bespoke intervention plans.
• Lead on holistic, multi-agency approaches that reduce risk and promote resilience.
• Champion restorative practice, building strong relationships.

Skills

Ability to carry out assessments, plan and deliver needs-based packages of support

Ability to engage positively with children, young people and their parents

Ability to offer appropriate support to families affected by various issues

Ability to challenge families appropriately

Ability to work effectively in a team and with other agencies

Education

GCSE pass in English at Grade C or above or equivalent

Job description

Application Deadline: 24 November 2025

Department: Childrens Services

Location: Torbay Council

Compensation: £31,537 - £34,434 / year

Description

Are you passionate about making a lasting difference in the lives of children and families in Torbay? Torbay Council is recruiting Lead Practitioners across our dynamic Children’s Service, with exciting full time and part time opportunities available in:

• Family Intervention Team.
• Building Futures Team.
• Breathing Space Team.

Each team offers a unique opportunity to deliver targeted, evidence-based interventions that support children and families to overcome challenges and build brighter futures.

As a Lead Practitioner, you’ll be at the heart of our mission to safeguard and support children in Torbay. You will:

• Work directly with children, young people, and families to develop and deliver bespoke intervention plans.
• Lead on holistic, multi‑agency approaches that reduce risk and promote resilience.
• Champion restorative practice, building strong relationships that empower families to make sustainable changes.

This is a role where your skills, compassion, and creativity will have a real impact.

We’re seeking passionate and experienced professionals who:

• Have a strong background in working with children and families, especially those with complex needs or who have experienced trauma.
• Are confident in managing crisis situations and delivering high‑quality, evidence‑based interventions.
• Understand the challenges faced by hard‑to‑reach groups, including those affected by:
• Domestic abuse.
• Mental health difficulties.
• Criminal and sexual exploitation.
• Gang affiliation and anti‑social behaviour.
• Substance misuse.
• School exclusions.
• SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).
• Are committed to professional development and reflective practice.

We know this is a demanding role, which is why we invest in our people. You’ll have access to ongoing learning and development through the Torbay Children’s Services Learning Academy, helping you grow your expertise and career.

You’ll need the ability to travel efficiently across Torbay, the South West, and occasionally the UK, and having the flexibility to work unsociable hours and embrace hybrid working is essential.

Torbay Council’s Children’s Services is proud to have Registered Restorative Organisation status that is focused on building trust, empowering families, and working together to create lasting change. Join a team that values relationships, innovation, and impact.

This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.

For an informal chat please contact Louise Matthews on 01803 208100 or [e-mail].

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 1st December 2025.

Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.

Skills

• Ability to carry out assessments, plan and deliver needs‑based packages of support.
• Ability to engage positively with children, young people and their parents.
• Ability to offer appropriate support to families affected by family breakdown, homelessness, child protection issues, drug and/or alcohol dependency, tenancy breakdown and non‑school attendance.
• Ability to challenge families appropriately.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and with other agencies.

This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Knowledge

• Understanding of basic human needs, physical, emotional and social.
• Knowledge of Children’s Act 1989 and 2004, Adoption legislation, Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (Parenting Orders and Anti‑Social Behaviour Act 2003).
• Knowledge of issues facing families at risk of family breakdown.
• Self‑awareness of own strengths and weaknesses.

Experience & Qualifications

• GCSE pass in English at Grade C or above or equivalent.
• Evidence of consistent pattern of learning from education, training and experience.
• Work in a health or social care environment (paid or unpaid) with children and young people.
• Experience of working with children, young people and families displaying challenging behaviour.
• Experience of health/social care needs and services.