Job Introduction
We’re recruiting a Lead Family Group Conference Co-ordinator to join our dedicated Children’s Services team within Safeguarding and the Family Group Conference Service.
You’ll support and manage a service that helps children, young people and families come together to make clear, safe and sustainable plans during times when concerns about a child’s welfare have been raised.
Our Family Group Conference Service works closely with families, colleagues across Children’s Social Care, and community partners to help families take ownership of their own solutions.
Family Group Conferences play an important role in supporting children and young people to have their wider family involved in Family Group Decision Making. You’ll help families understand concerns, explore their strengths and make decisions that keep children safe.
If you're looking for a rewarding role where your work helps local families find their voice, this is the role for you.
This role may be suitable for home working, following an assessment. Home-based roles require a minimum of one day in the office/site per week.
Interviews for this role will be held on 18 March
At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We focus on creating cleaner, safer and healthier communities, tackling inequalities and supporting families across our city. You’ll join colleagues who are dedicated, respectful and collaborative – values that guide everything we do.
We work as one council, supporting each other and sharing responsibility for making Milton Keynes a better place to live. We’re committed to inclusive practice, learning and development, and supporting colleagues with flexible working, including some home working where appropriate.
Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk
Main Responsibility
In this role, you’ll:
- Support to lead and manage a team of Family Group Conference Co-ordinators, ensuring high standards of practice and effective service delivery.
- Allocate and manage referrals, supervise practice, and oversee the day-to-day running of the service when required.
- Co-ordinate complex Family Group Conferences, ensuring the full involvement of children, families, the council and partner agencies.
- Provide training for professionals and organisations who refer into or participate in Family Group Conferences.
- Maintain accurate electronic records and contribute to quality assurance, service performance and data reporting.
- Build strong working relationships with Children’s Social Care, Corporate Parenting and a wide range of partner agencies across Milton Keynes.
The Ideal Candidate
- Extensive knowledge of Family Group Conferencing/Family Group Decision Making, child development, family dynamics and Child Protection legislation and practice.
- A diploma-level qualification (such as an NVQ or BTEC Level 3) or a recognised professional qualification is required e.g. degree in Social Work, Youth Work, Health, Education, Advocacy, Policing, Mediation.
- A minimum of 3 years’ professional experience working directly with children and families, with clear evidence of expertise in supporting vulnerable families and children. This experience should be gained in settings specifically related to children and family work, such as social care, education, health, or community services.
- The ability to engage effectively, empathetically, and professionally with families particularly those facing complex challenges is critical to success in this role.
- A clear communicator who can work confidently with children, families and professionals in challenging situations.
- Someone who can supervise, coach, lead, motivate and support colleagues, set standards and help maintain high-quality practice.
- A person who is organised, able to plan and prioritise, and comfortable analysing information and making decisions.
- Someone who shares our values: dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
To be successful in this role, you’ll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If you’re offered the position, we’ll ask for proof of your licence and vehicle insurance, including business use cover. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to confirm your appointment without these documents.
If you’re offered the role, we’ll arrange an Enhanced DBS check as part of our pre-employment process (unless you’re already registered with the DBS Update Service).
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
