Family Group Conference Co-ordinator

About the role

We're recruiting a Family Group Conference Coordinator to join our dedicated Children's Services team within Safeguarding and the Family Group Conference Service. The service helps children, young people and families come together to create clear, safe and sustainable plans 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.

You will be part of a supportive, respectful, and collaborative environment that values dedication, inclusivity and shared responsibility for making Milton Keynes a better place to live. The role may be suitable for home working following assessment, with a minimum of one day in the office/site per week. Interviews for this role will be held on 19 and 20 March.

• Work with referrers to gather information and support to produce clear reports that help families address concerns.
• Identify and prepare all family members and friends who will attend the conference so they can take part confidently.
• Carry out risk assessments in homes and community settings to ensure everyone's safety.
• Support children and young people to express their views, helping them participate or ensuring their voice is represented.
• Arrange, facilitate and chair Family Group Conferences so families can develop realistic and robust safeguarding plans.
• Keep accurate case records in line with our recording policies.

• A diploma‑level qualification (such as an NVQ or BTEC Level
  3) or a recognised professional qualification (e.g., degree in Social Work, Youth Work, Health, Education, Advocacy, Policing, Mediation).
• A minimum of three years’ professional experience working directly with children and families, with clear evidence of expertise in supporting vulnerable families and children.
• Experience in Family Group Conferencing, an understanding of Child Protection and Children's Social Care, and the ability to work confidently with families in crisis.
• Ability to analyse sensitive information, write clear reports and communicate with families and colleagues in a supportive and respectful way.
• Ability to chair complex meetings, manage risk, mediate and work with a range of agencies.
• Resilient, organised and able to manage own caseload, including lone working and flexible hours such as evenings or weekends.
• Must be able to work in the community and travel across Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle – proof will be required.
• Enhanced DBS check as part of the pre‑employment process (unless already registered with the DBS Update Service).
• Home working may apply after assessment; home‑based roles require a minimum of one day in the office/site per week.
• Work may include evenings or weekends as needed.

• 28 days annual leave per year (increasing to 32 after five years) plus public holidays, with a holiday purchase scheme allowing up to five additional days.
• Access to the national Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Family‑friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Employee benefits programme: health cash plan, low‑cost bike purchase scheme, 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 – additional range of discounts for social‑care employees from national retailers and local businesses.

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. 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 are proud of our diversity and are committed to a workforce that reflects the community we serve.

Whatever your background, you will be welcomed 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."

If you would like to apply, please provide proof of your UK driving licence and vehicle insurance, and we will arrange for your DBS check after your application is considered.