Family Group Conference Practitioner x 5 – Somerset Council

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Family Group Conference (FGC) Team as a Family Group Conference Practitioner.
In this role, you will act as an independent and neutral facilitator, supporting families to create their own plans to improve outcomes for children and young people.

You will work closely with Children’s Social Care and Early Help services and support approximately 8–10 families at any one time. The role includes attending a 3‑day FGC Coordinator training and may require some evening or weekend work to meet the needs of families.

This is a fixed term post for 2 years (April 2026 – March 2028) – 37 hours per week

What We Offer

• A supportive and friendly team environment.
• 30 days annual leave
• Opportunities for professional development.
• The chance to make a real difference for families across the county.

We’re working to improve the lives of people in Somerset – and you’ll be a key part of that.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate Family Group Conferences independently and neutrally.
• Receive referrals, meet with referrers, and clarify concerns, expectations, and roles.
• Prepare family members and professionals for the conference and support clear communication.
• Invite and negotiate attendance with the wider family network, including extended or non‑blood‑related members.
• Ensure meetings are accessible, appropriately timed, and centred on the needs of the child(ren).
• Chair both the main meeting and review meeting to agree the family plan.
• Record all stages of the process clearly and maintain accurate documentation.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and the council’s values in all aspects of your work.
• Act as a mentor to practitioners, providing guidance, support, and reflective practice to help them confidently deliver family-led meetings.

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be.

We’re looking for 5 confident, motivated, and organised practitioners who are passionate about working with families to achieve positive outcomes. You will bring:

Essential Experience & Skills

• Extensive experience of direct work with families, including mediation, facilitating meetings, conflict resolution, and promoting participation.
• Experience of partnership working with a range of agencies and professionals.
• Strong organisational skills, the ability to work independently, and meet time constraints.
• Excellent report‑writing and record‑keeping abilities.
• Good understanding of the FGC model and Children’s Social Care/Early Help services.

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent relevant qualification or significant experience working with families.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.

Personal Attributes

• A positive, adaptable, and committed approach.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to motivate others and work effectively under pressure.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Prepared to work some evenings and weekends.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.