Description
The job itself
Family Group Conferences (FGCs) are a key part of Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) and sit at the heart of the Family First Partnership reforms, supporting families to come together, lead decision‑making, and develop safe, sustainable plans for children when worries or concerns are identified.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for two 2 year fixed term positions to join our established Family Group Conference Service in the East Riding of Yorkshire. This role is central to our continued improvement journey, strengthening family‑led practice and embedding relational, strengths‑based approaches across children’s services.
About the Role
As a Family Group Conference Coordinator, you will create the right conditions for families and their networks to come together, share information openly, and develop their own plans to support children and young people. In line with FGC principles and the Family First Partnership agenda, you will empower families to lead this process while ensuring children’s voices remain central throughout.
You will be responsible for preparing families and professionals for Family Group Conferences, meeting with all participants in advance to gather information, address concerns, and ensure everyone feels informed and able to participate meaningfully. A core element of the role is working directly with the child or young person to ensure their views, wishes and feelings are clearly understood and represented, arranging advocacy where required. Even when a child or young person chooses not to attend their conference, their perspective must remain central to planning and decision‑making.
Following each conference, you will ensure that agreed family plans are clearly documented, shared with all relevant parties, and understood. Where appropriate, you will also support review meetings to monitor progress and reflect on how plans are working for the child and their family.
You will work closely with Children’s Social Work colleagues and partner agencies, offering a collaborative and relational approach that strengthens outcomes for children and young people and supports professionals to work with families rather than doing to them.
Working with Our Service
We are a well‑established and effective Family Group Conference Service, committed to continuous learning and improvement. Our work is community‑based, meeting families in spaces that feel safe, comfortable and appropriate for them. You will need to be creative, resourceful and flexible, using your local knowledge and networks to support meaningful engagement.
The role does not follow traditional 9–5 working hours and instead allows you to work innovatively to meet families at the right time and place for them. This flexibility is key to enabling genuine relationship‑based work.
About You
We are looking for a creative, enthusiastic and hardworking colleague who:
1. Is passionate about family‑led, strengths‑based practice
2. Understands and values Family First Partnership and FGC principles
3. Is skilled in building trusting relationships with children, young people, families and professionals
4. Is flexible, reflective and adaptable in their approach
5. Is committed to amplifying children’s voices and supporting meaningful participation
Why Join Us?
You will have the privilege of walking alongside children, young people and their families at important moments in their lives, supporting them to strengthen relationships, develop safe plans, and move forward with confidence.
We are a small team with real passion and drive, and we are looking for a colleague to join us on our journey of innovation, collaboration and improvement.
Does this sound like you?
If so, we would love to hear from you.