Job Introduction
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the Family Network Pilot (FNP) which is a Department of Education initiative that has been extended for a further 12 months.
The Family Network Pilot is testing the impact of providing flexible funding for extended family networks through Family Network Support Packages (FNSPs) to help keep families together and children out of care where appropriate.
Through the pilot we are seeking to find sustainable, family-led solutions by increasing the use of family group decision-making and testing the introduction of FNSPs – a recommendation made by the Independent review of children’s social care.
The pilot will look at how FNSPs can unlock barriers and enable family networks to play a more active role in providing loving, safe and stable homes for children through financial and other practical means.
Main Responsibility
You will:
- have significant experience of working with children / young people and their families from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures.
- be knowledgeable about the needs of families, posses strong relationship building and communication skills to work effectively with professionals, colleagues, and families.
- be skilled in mediation skills and be able to negotiate and manage conflict, whilst having high levels of organisational skills.
- have confidence in convening and chairing large meetings effectively whilst meeting time frames that differ to the standard timeframes of preparing and convening a Family Group Conference.
- have the ability to remain independent, neutral, and objective, resisting attempts by professionals or family to take sides and be diplomatic and respectful but manage difficult issues that need raising.
Please note, the job description is for a generic Family Group Convener, there may be slight variations in the requirements for the Family Network Pilot.
The Ideal Candidate
You must have:
- NVQ Level 4 or equivalent qualification have undertaken the FGC training or be willing to undertake the full convenor training programme delivered by an accredited provider.
- Experience of delivering direct work with children, their families and carers in a statutory or voluntary agency which provides services to vulnerable children and their families
- The ability to work within a complex system and find simple solutions and outcomes that deliver real change for our families,
- Passion and drive to support children to be safe and be able to remain within their family,
- Excellent communication and IT skills,
- The ability to work as a team and autonomously and be willing to travel to meet with family members
- Excellent skills in communication and understanding of family dynamics,
- Ability to work creatively, restoratively, so that you get the best out of children and their families through using relational and coaching techniques,
Access to a car at all times, an essential car user allowance is paid.
Please note, there may be the requirement for weekend or evening working
Interviews will be held during the week starting 25 August 2025 .
For an informal chat about the role please contact Kirsten Booth, Edge of Care Manager at: kirsten.booth@staffordshire.gov.uk or call 07815 999 066
Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
