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The Team

Early Support services work within a Families Together model that brings together diverse services, across all sectors, to provide a joined-up approach to supporting children and families when, where, and how they need that support.

Family Group Conferences (FGCs) are at the heart of our restorative approach to supporting families when there is an identified need for support or any safeguarding issues. The aim is to help families develop their own solutions to the difficulties they are facing.

We are looking for dynamic and passionate individuals who will work consistently and assertively using a multi-agency approach and restorative practice, developing effective working relationships to deliver co-ordinated support to Children, Young people and their Families ensuring the child’s voice is paramount.

The Role

You will be based in North Kirklees, but expected to work across Kirklees and wider as required, bringing together family networks to hold Family Group Conferences, supporting them to develop and create their own solutions in circumstances where there are safeguarding concerns.

You will work restoratively to develop effective working relationships to deliver coordinated support to Children, Young people, and their Families, keeping the child’s voice at the centre.

You will work in line with the principles and practices that underpin the Family Group Conferencing model (FGC) and build effective professional relationships with Children’s Social Care and Early Support services to deliver a high quality, effective Family Group Conferencing Service.

If you are interested in this area of work and have the following skills, then this could be the ideal opportunity for you:

• Knowledge and understanding of the role of other agencies who work with children and families.
• NVQ/Level 4 qualification in a relevant subject e.g. Health, Social Care or Youth
• Understanding of child development and issues facing young people
• Ability to establish a good working relationship with referrers and communicate with all family members including children and young people enabling them to take an active part in the FGC process and able to provide professional advice, training and consultancy to staff
• A good level of IT skills and the use or related systems to record, update and provide information and reports

For a full list of the role requirements please see the attached job profile.

What can we offer?

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Friendly and supportive team environment
• Ongoing training and career development
• Excellent pension scheme
• Discounts with local and national retailers
• We offer a wide range of well-being initiatives including a cycle to work scheme and discounted KAL membership

What the team say about the role

"FGCs can bring families together to resolve their own issues and repair relationships. When it works it can be life changing for children and adults alike," JH.

"I would say in a nutshell I think FGC coordinators ‘believe that families know more about their situation than any professional and can often make better decisions and solutions for their own family, there is nothing more rewarding than coordinating an FGC for a family seeing them feel empowered and devising their own plan of support and how to move things forward," GW.

"Join our FGC team! We support families and young people to have a voice in creating their family plan. Each case has its own challenges and the role takes hard work and determination. Bring your passion, communication skills and knowledge to make a difference to families," SR.

Shortlisting Process

In order to be shortlisted for interview you will need to demonstrate your experience by answering the following questions:

• Are you a trained and experienced Family Group Conference Coordinator? If so please share your experience. (If you are not a trained and experienced Family Group Conference Coordinator, please go to question 2. If "Yes" please answer the following questions except question 2.)
• If you are not trained but you feel you have the skills, experiences and knowledge required for this role please share how you think you could meet the requirements of this role.
• Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the principles that underpin FGC.
• Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the importance of participation of Children and Young People within the FGC process.
• Demonstrate your experience of how you establish good working relationship with professionals and communicate with all family members including children and young people enabling them to take an active part in the FGC or other intervention.
• What skills and experience do you have in managing conflict and how would you apply this within the role as a Family Group Conference Coordinator?
• How do you keep up with current legislation, research and practice and embed this in your work. Please detail any training you have undertaken in last 3 years relevant to this role.

For an informal discussion or further information about the role please contact Siobhan Corcoran or Catherine Wrench (Team Leaders) on 01484 221000 or at [email protected] or [email protected]