Description
Job Description & Person Specification >
We have vacancy for a Lead Practitioner based within the Therapeutic Team in Children’s Services. We are a busy team supporting the local authority’s commitment to trauma informed, child centred practice through the delivery of evidence-based interventions.
The aim of the team is to provide high quality intervention and support to children and families, to enable children to achieve better outcomes, safety, stability and permanence. Our work is underpinned by a restorative ethos, shaping our approach with children, families, and colleagues. We value skilled practitioners with experience of direct work with families facing complex challenges, and who bring curiosity, reflection, and relational practice to their work.
You will bring confidence and skill in working directly with young people and families facing challenges, alongside a restorative, relationship based approach. You will be a dedicated and enthusiastic professional, committed to working collaboratively with children, families, and colleagues to improve outcomes. With a particular focus on delivering Therapeutic Life Story Work, we are keen to hear from practitioners who have relevant experience and qualifications in this area.
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 Louise Matthews on 07824103454 or louise.matthews@torbay.gov.uk.
Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 27th 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:
* Ability to carry out assessments, plan and deliver needs-based packages of support.
* Ability to produce and maintain accurate records and reports.
* Ability to engage positively with children, young people and their parents.
* 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.
* Effective communication/interpersonal skills.
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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