Description
Job Description & Person Specification >
We have a Lead Practitioner vacancy with the Family Intervention team, providing parenting support services to our Torbay families.
We are a busy team working and offer focused family support to families with complex needs through targeted support. We work flexibly and creatively with parents and their children in their homes and in groups, to increase the skills, confidence and abilities of all family members to live their daily lives in a positive and safe way.
Our ethos is guided by working restoratively with children, families and colleagues. We have a focus of developing strong positive working relationships with whole families and partner agencies through the process of Team Around the Family meetings.
We are looking for skilled practitioners who have experience of direct work with families who are experiencing challenges. You will have confidence and skills to work with young people and families in crisis. You will be a dedicated and enthusiastic professional, committed to improving outcomes for children and their families.
Appropriate candidates will have a good understanding of social care. You will also come with particular experience and knowledge of how to work with specific hard to reach groups including those affected by domestic abuse, mental health difficulties, anti-social behaviour, criminal and sexual exploitation, gang affiliation, drug and alcohol misuse, school exclusion or truanting.
We know this is a demanding role, which is why we invest in our people. You’ll have access to ongoing learning and development through the Torbay Children’s Services Learning Academy, helping you grow your expertise and career.
You’ll need the ability to travel efficiently across Torbay, the Southwest, and occasionally the UK, and having the flexibility to work unsociable hours and embrace hybrid working is essential.
Torbay Council’s Children’s Services is proud to have Registered Restorative Organisation status that is focused on building trust, empowering families, and working together to create lasting change. Join a team that values relationships, innovation, and impact.
This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.
If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/lead-practitioner-family-help-1/
For an informal chat please contact Kirsty Mascard on 01803 208547 or kirsty.mascard@torbay.gov.uk.
Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 20th April 2026.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.
Skills
Essential:
* As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
* Ability to work effectively on own initiative, prioritise workload and manage time to meet deadlines.
* Ability to work effectively in a team and with other agencies.
* Ability to offer appropriate support to families affected by:
o Family breakdown.
o Homelessness.
o Child Protection issues.
o Drug and/or alcohol dependency.
o Tenancy breakdown.
o Non school attendance.
* Ability to carry out assessments, plan and deliver needs-based packages of support.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Knowledge
Essential:
* Understanding of basic human needs, physical, emotional and social.
* Knowledge of Children’s Act 1989 and 2004, Adoption legislation, Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (Parenting Orders and Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.
* Knowledge of issues facing families at risk of family breakdown.
* Self-awareness of own strengths and weaknesses.
Experience & Qualifications
Essential:
* Evidence of consistent pattern of learning from education, training and experience.
* GCSE pass in English at Grade C or above or equivalent.
* Work in a health or social care environment (paid or unpaid) with children and young people.
* Experience of working with children, young people and families displaying challenging behaviour.
* Experience of health/social care needs and services.
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