Family Group Conference Convener x 3 in London

Organisation: London Borough of Waltham Forest

Salary: PO1/PO2 £41,133 - £45,750

Contract Type: 1 x Full-time and Permanent, 1 x Full-time Fixed Term Contract (12 Months)

Working hours per week: 36 hours

Application Deadline: 3rd August 2026

Proposed Interview Date(s): Week commencing 12th Aug 2026

Reference: 2211

About Us: Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work. We are a highly ambitious borough. Driven by culture and the innate creativity of our residents, we have developed new and innovative ways to build our communities. Our Council is relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven and commercially minded; a Council focused on meeting the needs of our existing and future residents.

London Borough of Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard employers. This accreditation is proof of our commitment to creating a healthy, fair and inclusive workplace. This includes fair pay and conditions, workplace well-being, skills and progression and diversity and recruitment.

About the role: We are delighted to announce an opportunity for the role of Family Group Conference (FGC) Practitioner within the Family Group Decision-Making Team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated Practitioner to develop their skills in family-led decision making and restorative practice, supporting children, young people and their families to identify solutions and develop sustainable plans that promote safety, wellbeing and positive outcomes.

As an FGC Practitioner, you will arrange, coordinate and facilitate Family Group Conferences and Reviews, working alongside children, families, wider family networks and professionals. You will support families to develop and implement their own plans, ensuring that children's voices remain central to the process and that plans are developed in line with Family Rights Group principles and protocols.

Working within Waltham Forest's strengths-based practice model, you will build relationships with compassion, curiosity, collaboration, responsibility and creativity. You will also hold a caseload and provide advice and guidance throughout the Family Group Conference process, working closely with Children's Social Care and partner agencies.

What we are looking for:

• Significant experience of working with children, young people and families within community-based services
• Strong understanding of Family Group Conferences, strengths-based and solution-focused practice
• Experience of engaging and motivating children, families and professionals from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to facilitate groups, manage complex family dynamics and build effective relationships
• Knowledge of safeguarding, care planning and relevant legislation relating to children and families
• Experience of assessing and managing risk, making sound professional judgements and escalating concerns appropriately
• Excellent communication, organisation and report-writing skills
• Commitment to culturally responsive, anti-discriminatory and relational practice
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and meet service deadlines

There will be two full-time permanent positions and one full-time fixed term (1 year) position. The fixed-term position is providing maternity cover, anticipated to last for 12 months. However, applicants should be aware that the duration of the contract may be subject to change. In the event that the employee currently on maternity leave decides to return to work earlier than originally indicated, the contract may be terminated with appropriate notice in accordance with the terms of employment.

We are a Home Office–licensed sponsor; however, for this specific role we are not able to provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. To be considered, you must already hold a form of UK work authorisation that does not require sponsorship.

Key Responsibilities:

• Facilitate Family Group Conferences and review meetings.
• Empower children, young people and families to develop their own support plans.
• Work collaboratively with social workers, schools, health professionals and community partners.
• Manage a caseload and maintain accurate records and reports.
• Promote safeguarding and identify escalating risks.
• Engage effectively with diverse and hard-to-reach families.
• Support continuous service improvement and professional development.
• Occasionally work outside normal office hours to meet service needs.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• English and Math Qualification
• Relevant NVQ Level 2 or 3 qualification
• Degree in any discipline or willing to work towards
• Willing to work towards Family Rights Group (if not already accredited)

Terms and conditions:

• Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks;
• Satisfactory declaration of interest;
• This role is subject to safer recruitment practices as it involves work with children and/or vulnerable adults;
• Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check;
• Continued professional body registration;
• As a public authority, we must ensure that members of staff in public-facing roles are able to speak fluent English.

How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications online by pressing the ‘Apply’ button below. This includes a supporting statement that outlines how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Contact Information: If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact Marlene Service at marlene.service@walthamforest.gov.uk. If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post, please contact our Recruitment Team via email at recruitment@walthamforest.gov.uk.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population.