Motivational Interviewing and Network Finding Practice Lead

Liverpool City Council; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday

Flexibility First

LGPS

Training and development

Health & Wellbeing

Cycle to Work

Travel Pass

Car lease scheme

Family leave

Gym discounts

Employee volunteering

Job summary

Liverpool City Council is seeking a Motivational Interviewing and Network Finding Practice Lead to enhance MIS and engagement across Children and Young People’s Services. The role focuses on embedding MI and Network Finding approaches, providing training and ongoing guidance to practitioners and multi-agency teams, and driving collaborative practice for better outcomes.

Join a forward-thinking service committed to delivering high-quality children’s services with a supportive, flexible and

Qualifications

• No formal qualifications listed in the advertisement.

Responsibilities

• Act as an influencer and enabler, modelling strengths-based working and using motivational skills in day-to-day interactions with senior leaders, managers and practitioners.
• Design, develop and deliver an MI and Network Finding strategy and programme to the Children and Young People’s Service and the Children’s Partnership, including training, coaching and ongoing support.
• Contribute to and support the development of strengths-based, relational, and collaborative practice with children, young people, their networks, and across partner organisations.

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Cunard Building, Water Street, Liverpool

Motivational Interviewing and Network Finding Practice Lead

Job Reference liverpoolcitycouncil/TP/48473/2238

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Permanent Full Time

Working Hours:

35

Location:

Cunard Building, Water Street, Liverpool

Closing Date:

20/10/2026

Job Category:

Children's Services

Region / Division:

Liverpool

Business Unit:

Job Introduction

Job title: Motivational Interviewing and Network Finding Practice Lead

A bit about us:

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do.

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces - there's really something for everyone!

Our Practice Model - "Our City, Our Children, Together" - was chosen by colleagues, parents and carers, children, and young people to reflect our collective commitment to working collaboratively, it is more than just a practice model, it is a shared vision. Every part of this model has been co-produced with the people who access and deliver our services. It represents our values, our relationships, and our belief that, by working together, we can create the best outcomes for children, young people and their networks. This is a model we can be proud of and one that truly belongs to all of us.

Join a service that's really making a difference. Liverpool Children's Services is proud to be rated "Good" by Ofsted, with inspectors recognising the positive impact of our work for children, young people and families across the city.

Liverpool City Council Children and Young People's Services has recently undergone its Ofsted ILACS inspection, achieving a positive outcome across all four judgement areas (three judgement areas securing a 'Good' outcome), with inspectors praising stronger social work practice, a more stable workforce, and improved outcomes for children, young people and their networks. The Ofsted report specifically highlighted "improvements to Liverpool's social work workforce, with the council moving from relying predominantly on temporary staff to employing a majority permanent workforce. Reduced workloads have enabled practitioners to develop more meaningful relationships with children and families, while social workers told inspectors they felt well supported and appropriately challenged by managers, with morale described as high."

Jenny Glennard, Corporate Director of Children and Young People's Services, said the inspection reflected both the commitment of the workforce and a renewed focus on children and young people's experiences. "I am very proud of our workforce, our schools, and our partners who work tirelessly to support the children of the city. There is always more to do, and we will continue to build on this progress."

This achievement reflects the dedication, passion and expertise of our workforce, and our commitment to delivering high-quality services that help children thrive. If you're looking to build your career in a supportive and ambitious organisation who are striving for excellence, we'd love to hear from you!

The role:

This newly established post reflects Children and Young People’s Service’s continued commitment to investing in and strengthening practice across the Directorate. The role will support the delivery of purposeful, meaningful, and child-centred outcomes for children, young people, and their families and networks and this is an exciting opportunity to join an ambitious and forward-thinking portfolio that is committed to embedding and continually developing Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Network Finding and Engagement approaches across Children and Young People’s Services.

The post will play a key role in enhancing skills, knowledge, and practice both within the service and across partner organisations throughout the Liverpool City Council footprint, ensuring a consistent and collaborative approach to achieving the best possible outcomes for children, young people and their networks.

• As an Motivational Interviewing and Network Finding Practice Lead you will be an influencer and enabler, proactively modelling strengths-based working, and using motivational skills and networking findings in their day-to-day interactions with senior leaders, managers and practitioners
• As a Motivational Interviewing and Network Finding Practice Lead you will design, develop and deliver an MI and Network Finding strategy and programme to the Children and Young People’s Service and to the Children’s Partnership including training, coaching and ongoing support and guidance to practitioners, managers and multi-agency teams
• This exciting opportunity forms a key part of our ongoing improvement journey, supporting the development of strengths based, relational, and collaborative practice with children, young people, their networks, while investing in the continued growth and development of our workforce

Our offer to you:

• At least 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays rising to 32 after 5 years' service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working (role dependent) - a "Flexibility First" approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme - option to join the AVC Scheme
• Progression -opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes
• Drive Time -a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave
• Discounted Gym Memberships
• Employee Volunteering Scheme

Next steps:

Interview date:10 November 2026

Interview type:Face-to-face

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Once the role has closed, you will not be able to submit an application, and we are unable to reopen the vacancy for you to complete it. We strongly recommend submitting your application well in advance of the closing date to avoid disappointment.

If you would like any further information or an informal discussion, please contact Harriet Cadman, Recruitment and Retention Lead, Children’s Services [e-mail]

Watch our recruitment video and see what life is like working at Liverpool City Council.

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at [e-mail] .

Although we advertise on Jobs Go Public, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications. Please ensure you complete your full profile, work and education history in Tribepad.

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.

This is not legal advice, and we advise you to seek your own independent legal advice tailored to your own personal circumstances.