By phone or email
To speak to an adviser, please call our free and confidential advice line 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3pm, excluding Bank Holidays). Or you can ask us a question via email using our advice enquiry form.
Are you a parent, kinship carer relative or friend of a child who is involved with, or who needs the help of, children’s services in England? We can help you understand processes and options when social workers or courts are making decisions about your child’s welfare.
Our advice service is free, independent and confidential.
To speak to an adviser, please call our free and confidential advice line 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3pm, excluding Bank Holidays). Or you can ask us a question via email using our advice enquiry form.
Our online advice forums are an anonymous space where parents and kinship carers (also known as family and friends carers) can get legal and practical advice, build a support network and learn from other people’s experiences.
Our get help and advice section has template letters, advice sheets and resources about legal and social care processes. On Monday and Thursday afternoons, you can use our webchat service to chat online to an adviser.
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.
About the Team
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:
http://www.frg.org.uk/what-is-a-family-group-conference-a-guide-for-families
https://frg.org.uk/lifelong-links/
Recent post-FGC Feedback:
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.”
About the Role
Please see Role Profile attached.
About You
To be shortlisted to interview for this position your application will clearly evidence that you:
The post is currently based in Bath and covers the whole of North East Somerset so the ability to travel across a wide geographical area in a timely and flexible manner at various times of the day/week/weekend is essential, as is a full driving licence and access to a car.
If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Freyja Baber (Team Manager – Family Support Plus) [email protected] or call 01225396961.
Interview date: TBC
No Agencies Please.
Please note: that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
*Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.
About Bath and North East Somerset Council.
Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.
Why Bath and North East Somerset Council?
We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-benefits
At Bath and North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve peoples lives. Find out more about our values at https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-values
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity
We are a Disability Confident Employer – find out more at https://shorturl.at/ajrsW
The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.
Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced/Basic DBS Check.
Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.
Your donation will help more families access expert legal advice and support from Family Rights Group.
Donate Now