At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in need, improving their lives and empowering them to make positive changes.
- Company: Lewisham Council, a diverse and inclusive employer committed to community welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, training opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Join a transformative team making a difference in the lives of children and families every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in family support, strong communication skills, and a commitment to equality and diversity.
The predicted salary is between 40404 - 41637 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
Lewisham Council is on an exciting journey of transformation through the Pathfinder program, and we're looking for passionate, proactive, and skilled Family Practitioners to be part of our Prevention & Early Help Team. In this vital role, you'll work directly with children, young people, and families, providing focused support to improve outcomes, address challenges, reduce risks, and empower families to make and sustain positive changes. You'll build trusting relationships with families, extended networks, and communities to help alleviate social isolation, increase capacity, and create sustainable change. By collaborating with multi-disciplinary partners, you'll ensure the best outcomes for children and families, preventing the need for statutory services and reducing risks of family breakdown.
What’s in it for you?
- Impact: Be at the heart of Lewisham’s Families First Pathfinder strategy, making a tangible difference every day.
- Collaboration: Work with a wide range of professionals across health, education, police, and voluntary sectors.
- Development: Access training opportunities and contribute to shaping Lewisham’s Family Hub and neighbourhood-based services.
- Innovation: Be part of a forward-thinking team implementing the i-Thrive framework and integrated support pathways.
- Flexibility: Enjoy a role that values creativity, autonomy, and professional growth.
What we’re looking for:
- A minimum of 2 years' experience working as a Family Support Worker or Family Practitioner, working with families facing multiple challenges, such as mental health issues, domestic abuse, or housing difficulties.
- Knowledge of evidence-based intervention strategies and the ability to implement them effectively through direct work.
- Strong skills in mediation, conflict resolution, and direct work with families in crisis.
- Familiarity with Early Help Assessments and leading Teams Around the Family (TAF).
- Understanding of restorative and trauma-informed practices.
- Commitment to professional development and staying informed on relevant policies and research.
- A strong understanding of safeguarding and early help thresholds.
- Experience working in multi-agency environments.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusive practice.
If you’re ready to lead, influence, and collaborate to improve outcomes for children and families, we want to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide intensive, family-centred support to vulnerable children, young people, and their families to improve outcomes.
- Undertake holistic assessments and develop action plans to address challenges such as parenting, mental health, domestic abuse, and education.
- Facilitate decision-making and ensure children, young people, and families' voices are heard in assessments and plans.
- Deliver evidence-based interventions using restorative, trauma-informed, and systemic approaches.
- Maintain high standards of case recording and reporting in line with GDPR and service policies.
- Build strong links with local services and agencies to provide integrated support.
- Work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of families.
Location: The job is primarily based in one of the Lewisham Family Hubs, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
Special conditions: The job is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CVs. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.
For an informal discussion about this job, please contact Patrycja Krzeszewska or Billie Murdoch.
Salary: £40,404-£41,637 per annum (SO1)
Diversity: Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert.
The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs.
The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.
Family Practitioner in London employer: Borough of Lewisham
Contact Detail:
Borough of Lewisham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Practitioner in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Lewisham Council and the Family Practitioners already in place. This will help you understand their values and how you can fit into their vibrant community.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you’re in that interview, let your enthusiasm for working with families shine through. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and families.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss real-life scenarios. Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenges in your previous roles. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and your ability to implement evidence-based interventions effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Show your interest by asking about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and how they measure success in their Family Hub. This not only gives you insight but also shows you’re genuinely invested in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Practitioner in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff: Before you start writing, make sure you understand the role of a Family Practitioner inside out. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and person specification so you can tailor your application to show how you meet those criteria.
Be Personal and Specific: When writing your supporting statement, don’t just list your experiences. Share specific examples that demonstrate your skills in mediation, conflict resolution, and working with families in crisis. This will help us see how you can make a real impact.
Show Your Passion: We want to see your enthusiasm for working with families and communities. Use your application to express why you’re passionate about this role and how you align with our values at Lewisham Council.
Follow the Guidelines: Make sure to read the applicant handbook carefully and follow all instructions. Completing the application fully and addressing each criterion is crucial, as we won’t accept CVs. Remember, applying through our website is the best way to go!
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Lewisham
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the key responsibilities and requirements of the Family Practitioner role. Brush up on evidence-based intervention strategies, trauma-informed practices, and the Early Help Assessments. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with what they’re looking for.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your skills in mediation, conflict resolution, and working with families in crisis. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easy for the interviewers to see your impact.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working with multi-disciplinary partners, be ready to discuss your experience in collaborative environments. Share examples of how you’ve successfully worked with other professionals to achieve positive outcomes for families.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. You might ask about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how they measure success in the Family Hub.