Family Group Conference Co-Ordinator

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives.

2 Years Fixed Term Contract until 21/08/2028

Bath & North East Somerset Children's Service is passionate about making a meaningful and positive difference in the lives of children, with a really strong value base focused on strong relationships. Our service has very recently been inspected by Ofsted and retained its rating as ‘Good’. Inspectors wrote that: “Practitioners are creative, thoughtful and effective in making children safer, and keeping families together whenever possible.”

And “Social workers spend meaningful time with children to build relationships, including helping them to reconnect with family members, going rock climbing, eating out at restaurants, and drawing and painting. This helps children to build the confidence to share past trauma at a pace they are comfortable with”.

Are you passionate about actively involving children and their families to make key decisions and safe plans to promote the welfare of children?

Do you have experience of multi-agency working and sharing expertise to achieve best outcomes for children and young people?

Can you see yourself facilitating and chairing meetings with families?

If so, then we have an exciting opportunity for you as a Family Group Conference Coordinator within our small, well-established FGC team in BANES.

The FGC team model is used to bring family members and friends together to look at how they can collectively help provide safe, supportive and sustainable solutions to the problems being experienced in caring for children within the family. As a co-ordinator, you will be independent but work alongside social workers and other professionals, to engage families who are currently accessing Early Help and Children’s Centres, Child Protection teams and Children in Care teams.

Further information about FGC can be found at:

A young person: “Well I feel that it achieved . . . opening up to some family friends and my family. It is useful in the long run because my mum has realised that it does impact me when she does these things and that she needs to change”

A grandmother: “When the professionals left the room the family were able to produce a comprehensive plan with clear expectations for each person. This was really useful as the plan can be re-read and people are reminded of what they offered. The FGC also enabled us to look at what would happen if things didn’t go well and prepare an action plan for that eventuality.”

A social worker: “The room environment was good, local, and the food provided enabled the family members to relax and have a small break. I liked the plan and how they were able to challenge each other but still focus on the children. I feel the risk has reduced due to this opportunity for all family members to meet in a safe environment and given time to discuss their own issues.

The end of CSC involvement is near.”

Please see Role Profile attached.

To be shortlisted to interview for this position your application will clearly evidence that you:

• Are qualified and experienced in working with children and families
• Have a Level 4 qualification either in mediation, education or social care
• Are confident in facilitating and chairing meetings and managing conflict
• Have a clear understanding and experience of Family Group Conferencing, application of legislation and key associated principles
• Are confident in working within a multi-agency environment, delivering and willing to improve upon effective direct work interventions with families
• Have experience and ability to build positive relationships with children and young people quickly by understanding their lived experiences in order to advocate on their behalf
• Have the ability to understand and maintain focus on your own continuous professional development
• Strive to share learning and collaborate with practitioners and multi-agency partners to achieve positive outcomes for children and their families. Transferrable skills are highly welcome!

The post is currently based in Bath and covers the whole of North East Somerset so the…