Conference Coordinators

Job Family Group; United States; Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days' holiday

Pension

Carer’s leave

Volunteer days

Parental leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Learning & development

Wellbeing discounts

Hybrid/flexible working

Job summary

Surrey County Council is recruiting Family Group Conference Coordinators to support the growth and delivery of Surrey's Family Group Conferencing service. You will help families make safe, sustainable plans and empower children to have a voice in planning.

The role requires a Level 3 qualification or substantial experience, excellent communication, and the ability to travel across Surrey. Hybrid working is supported with office bases in East or West Surrey.

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject or evidence of substantial experience in a relevant field.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to build trust and rapport.
• Skilled in conflict resolution, mediation, or restorative approaches.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
• Able to work independently with creativity, resilience and emotional intelligence.
• Experience and ability to build positive relationships with children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver Family Group Conferences with high-quality, family-led planning.
• Engage children, young people, and wider family networks to understand concerns and promote participation.
• Create a safe, inclusive environment for families to explore solutions and develop plans.
• Work with social workers, early help practitioners, partner agencies and community services.
• Manage referrals, maintain accurate records, and ensure conferences are timely and well-organised.
• Promote restorative, strengths-based practice across all interactions.
• Advocate for the child’s voice and ensure their wishes and feelings are central.
• Willingness to travel across a wide geographical area in Surrey.

Skills

Communication

Conflict resolution

Group facilitation

Attention to detail

Emotional intelligence

Independent working

Resilience

Education

Level 3 qualification

Job description

The Families First Partnership Programme (FFPP) is a national programme and a central part of the government's wider children's social care reform agenda, as per the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026. It aims to make the system work better for everyone involved - families, practitioners and leaders - by supporting earlier and more effective intervention and stronger partnership working. A key element of the programme is the commitment to embedding family-led planning across all aspects of Family Help. For us here in Surrey this includes expanding access to Family Group Conferencing, ensuring more families can benefit from this approach at the right time. These new Family Group Conference Coordinators roles will play a vital part in supporting the growth and delivery of Surrey's Family Group Conferencing service, helping to ensure children and families receive the support they need, when they need it, helping to improve outcomes. About The Role We are seeking compassionate, skilled, and highly organised Family Group Conference (FGC) Coordinators to join our team. This is a rewarding opportunity to support children, young people, and their families to make safe and sustainable plans for the future. As an FGC Coordinator, you will play a key role in empowering families to make informed decisions, strengthening support networks, and enabling positive change. You will ensure the FGC process is inclusive, well planned, and centred around the voice of the child. In this role you will:

• Coordinate and deliver Family Group Conferences, ensuring high-quality, family led planning
• Engage children, young people, and their wider family networks to understand concerns and promote meaningful participation
• Create a safe, inclusive environment for families to explore solutions and develop their own plans
• Work collaboratively with social workers, early help practitioners, partner agencies, and community services
• Manage referrals, maintain accurate records, and ensure conferences are timely and well-organised
• Promote restorative, strengths-based practice across all interactions
• Advocate for the child's voice, ensuring their wishes and feelings are central to the planning process, Surrey has both urban and rural areas and candidates will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
• An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
• Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject and/or evidence of substantial experience in a relevant field
• An excellent communicator with the ability to build trust and rapport
• Skilled in conflict resolution, mediation, or restorative approaches
• Confident in managing group dynamics and facilitating sensitive conversations
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail
• Passionate about working collaboratively with families and professionals
• Able to work independently with creativity, resilience, and emotional intelligence
• Experience and ability to build positive relationships with children and young people quickly by understanding their lived experiences to advocate on their behalf
• Understanding Family Group Conferencing, principles of family decision making and social care legislation

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities. Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!

Our Commitment

These roles have a starting salary of £34,660 per annum, based on a 36‑hour working week. We are excited to be hiring new Family Group Conference Coordinators to join our fantastic Family Group Conference (FGC) service which has teams located across Surrey in both East and West locations. During the application process you will be asked to share your preference for location. If working in East Surrey your office base will be Reigate and if working in West Surrey your office base will be Woking. We support hybrid and flexible working with the right balance by coming together in person and support working from home alongside travel around the county visiting children, their family and their support network members.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents