Join a brand‑new service. Shape the future. Empower families.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a newly established and innovative service within Families First. We are launching Bexley’s Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) Service, and we’re looking for passionate, skilled practitioners to help us further embed this model across Children’s Social Care and transform the way families are supported. As part of this dynamic new team, you will play a central role in delivering high‑quality Family Group Conferences and Family Network Meetings, ensuring that children, young people, and their wider support networks have the space, confidence, and ownership to create safe, sustainable plans for their futures.
About The Role
The Family Group Decision Making Coordinator is both an independent, facilitative role and an integrated supportive role, ideally suited to experienced and qualified social workers who are committed to empowering families through a strengths‑based, relationship‑focused approach.
Family Group Decision Making Coordinators directly contribute to Bexley’s strategic aim to:
* Strengthen internal capacity for family‑led planning
* Reduce the likelihood of families escalating into pre‑proceedings or court
* Improve outcomes for children and families
* Embed inclusive, family‑driven decision making across the service
What You’ll Be Doing
* Plan, organise, and facilitate family led decision meetings to include Family Network Meetings and Family Group Conference models of practice
* Support families to identify strengths, resources, and solutions within their wider network
* Prepare family members, children, and professionals for the process
* Lead reviews to monitor progress and outcomes
* Work collaboratively to help shape, grow, and embed Bexley’s new FGDM service
* Promote and model best practice in family‑led planning and relational, strengths‑based work
* Contribute to the learning and development of our workforce via training and modelling
Why This Role Matters
* Be part of building a service from the ground up
* Strengthen family networks
* Champion inclusive practice where families lead their own decision making
* Make a tangible, lasting difference in children’s lives
* Support Bexley’s Practice Signs of Safety and Success Practice Model and contribute to innovative and exciting ways of working
* You will be a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England. You will normally have completed the ASYE year unless you qualified before it was in place
Please refer to the Job Description attached for more information.
Please note that the successful candidate will be required to be office based at least 3 days a week. Location: Bexley Civic Offices
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Stefanie Roberts, Principal Social Worker, Stefanie.roberts@bexley.gov.uk
Candidate Profile
* Self‑motivated and highly organised, with the ability to manage your own workload independently
* A skilled communicator, confident in balancing independence with partnership working
* Committed to empowering families, promoting their voice, and supporting them to take ownership of plans
* Experienced in working with children and families across a range of services
* Passionate about trauma‑informed, solution‑focused practice
* Enthusiastic about shaping a new service and driving innovation
* Able to drive our Signs of Safety Practice model (support and training given)
For the full list of essential and desirable criteria for this role then please refer to the Person Specification within the Job Description attached.
Please upload your personal statement under the Relevant Experience and Skills section and ensure this fully aligns to the role criteria. This should not be more than two sides of A4.
Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Interview schedule to be confirmed.
Bexley is a vibrant and diverse outer London Borough nestled in the Thames Gateway between London and Kent which means it combines the perfect blend of city vibe and the tranquillity of Kent. It's got award‑winning parks, open spaces, and heritage sites. The borough has excellent transport connections, including the Elizabeth Line and proximity to the M25. Bexley offers fantastic amenities such as libraries, leisure centres, and shopping areas. Our borough is also home to numerous primary and secondary schools, as well as further education institutions.
Our Offer to you
We will offer you in return a package that includes a competitive salary, coaching and mentoring programmes, an excellent pension scheme and generous annual leave plus bank holidays. For more information on the benefits package on offer please refer to the Candidate Information document attached.
Recruitment Information
As a disability confident employer Bexley welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us on recruitment@bexley.gov.uk.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This role may be available as a development opportunity through secondment for the Council’s existing employees. The Council’s Secondment Scheme can be found here. If this option is of interest, please contact the recruiting manager.
We reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date.
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