You’ll be part of a supportive team that’s passionate about improving outcomes for children and families across Dorset. This is a chance to shape how Family Group Conferences (FGCs) are delivered, raise their profile, and make sure children’s voices are always heard. You’ll benefit from ongoing professional development, flexible working, and the opportunity to build meaningful relationships that create lasting change.
What You’ll Be Doing
You’ll lead on developing and embedding FGC practice across Dorset, working closely with internal teams, families and partner organisations.
You’ll coordinate and facilitate individual Family Group Conferences, preparing families, children and young people so they feel fully involved and able to contribute.
Your work will support families to create their own plans, whether that’s to prevent children coming into care or to plan safe returns home. You’ll also help build robust systems to ensure FGCs are used consistently and creatively, always putting children’s needs first.
About You
* experience of working with vulnerable children, young people and families, ideally within safeguarding or social care settings
* skilled in engaging families, building trust and encouraging open, collaborative decision-making
* approachable, organised and an excellent communicator, with confidence working alongside professionals from various agencies
* committed to equality, inclusion and helping people reach their potential
* a full driving licence and willingness to travel widely across Dorset, with some flexibility to work outside standard hours when needed
This role offers a real opportunity to make a difference, supporting families to take the lead in finding solutions that work for them.
Further Information
For an informal conversation please contact Sharon McEvoy, Family Group Conference Manager on 01929 557077 or [email protected]
This is a full time role at 37 hours per week.
This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed.
This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.
See our policy on safeguarding children and young people.
See our adult safeguarding policy.
About Us
At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.
We
* provide essential services that support over 380,000 residents
* work in partnership to make a real difference
* value every role and the impact it has on our communities
* support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive
You Will
* be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
* have access to a range of benefits and support
* have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.
We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible. If you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.
This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.
If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us. #J-18808-Ljbffr