Relational and Restorative Practice Lead

Bradford Children and Families Trust; Bradford; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Local Government pension

Family-friendly policies

Health & wellbeing support

Professional development and career进

Job summary

Bradford Children and Families Trust is seeking an experienced professional to champion relational and restorative practices across children’s services. You will support leadership, drive culture change, and co-design learning that strengthens relationships and outcomes for families and children.

Working with colleagues across the Trust, you will embed reflective practice, evaluations, and continuous improvement to ensure high-quality safeguarding and service delivery.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of relational and restorative practice and its impact on children, families, and the workforce.
• Understanding of safeguarding and continuous improvement.
• Experience embedding relational approaches and supporting culture change.

Responsibilities

• Lead and embed relational and restorative practice across children’s social work.
• Support leaders to model relational behaviours and safe team cultures.
• Collaborate to design and deliver learning that strengthens practice and culture.
• Evaluate impact using learning, audits, and feedback to evidence improvements.

Skills

Relationship building

Influencing

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Reflective learning

Education

Degree in Social Work / Education / Psychology / Health

Job description

Job IntroductionWorking for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as it’s geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.We are fully committed to equal opportunities and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.About the RoleSupported by BCFT's Senior Leadership Team, this pivotal role will champion and embed relational and restorative practice as the foundation of our organisational culture. Working across operational, strategic and enabling services, the postholder will help create a consistent approach that places relationships at the heart of everything we do.Our ambition is for relational and restorative practice to be the golden thread that runs throughout BCFT, shaping how we work with children and families, how we supervise and make decisions, how we collaborate with one another, and how we drive continuous improvement and quality assurance.To achieve this vision and improve outcomes for children and families, the postholder will work closely with colleagues across the Trust, leading practical, hands-on improvement activity that strengthens relationships, builds capability, and embeds lasting cultural change.Our strategic vision and values https://www.bradfordcft.org.uk/about-us/our-vision-and-values/ are upheld across the Trust, fostering a reliable and supportive environment for both staff and the children in our care.Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.You’ll also:Lead and embed relational and restorative practice across children's social work, ensuring relationships are at the heart of all practice.Support practitioners, managers, and leaders to strengthen the quality, consistency, and impact of relationship-based approaches with children, young people, and families.Drive sustainable culture change, working with colleagues to embed relational and restorative principles across teams, services, and partnerships.Identify barriers and co-produce solutions that support the successful implementation of relational and restorative practice.Champion reflective practice and learning, facilitating forums, reviews, restorative conversations, and development opportunities that promote continuous improvement.Support leaders and managers to model relational behaviours and create safe, inclusive, reflective, and psychologically safe team cultures.Collaborate with People and Talent teams to design and deliver learning and development that strengthens relational practice and organisational culture.Evaluate and demonstrate impact, using learning, feedback, audits, inspections, and reviews to evidence improvements in practice, workforce experience, and outcomes for children and families.Translate learning into action, co-producing practical improvements that strengthen relationships, enhance practice quality, and deliver meaningful change.To be successful in this role you will need:Education & KnowledgeKnowledge of relational and restorative practice and its impact on children, families, and the workforce.Understanding of safeguarding, children's services, and continuous improvement.Relevant degree or equivalent qualification in Social Work, Education, Psychology, Health, or a related field.ExperienceExperience working within children's services, education, health, or a related sector.Experience embedding relational and restorative approaches and supporting culture change.Experience working collaboratively across teams, services, and partnerships.Experience facilitating learning, coaching, and reflective practice.Skills & AbilitiesStrong relationship-building, influencing, and communication skills.Ability to support practice improvement and translate vision into meaningful action.Ability to provide constructive challenge and facilitate reflective learning.Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reflective skills.You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:Generous annual leave - 31 days rising to 34 with service, plus bank holidaysExcellent Local Government pensionFamily-friendly policies and enhanced parental leaveHealth & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counsellingProfessional development and career progression opportunitieswe are a National Living Wage employerFor full details of our benefits, please see the attached ‘Our Benefits’ brochure.Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.To arrange an informal discussion, please contact Andrea Walters – [e-mail] Date: 2 September 2026Interviews: 14 September 2026We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive enough applications.Salary PO3 £42,839 - £46,142 per annumJob Reference bradfordcft/TP/652/673Contract Type Full Time / PermanentClosing Date 2 September, 2026Job Category Strategy & GovernanceLocation Bradford, United KingdomPosted on 6 August, 2026