At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to deliver impactful Family Group Conferences for children and families.
- Company: Bradford Children and Families Trust, dedicated to making a difference in diverse communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment with excellent career progression and a commitment to equal opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families while fostering meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in management, child welfare, and Family Group Conference facilitation required.
The predicted salary is between 42839 - 49282 £ per year.
Salary: PO3/PO4 - £42,839.00 - £49,282.00 Permanent, 37 hours per week x 2 posts. Base is to be within the Bradford district.
Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as its geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive. We are fully committed to equal opportunities and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
About the Role
Our service is continuing to grow as we further embed Family Group Decision Making at the heart of our practice with families and increase our Family Group Conference offer for families. We are seeking an experienced and motivated leader to manage a Family Group Conferencing (FGC) team. As the FGC Team Manager, you will oversee a team of Family Group Conference Coordinators and ensure the service delivers meaningful, child‑centred outcomes for families. You will provide strong leadership and champion the use of Family Group Conferences across the Trust. You will support and contribute to the development of and vision for the service and ensure that Family Group Conferences are used to strengthen family involvement and relational ways of working with families, to safely achieve best outcomes for children. Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.
Responsibilities
- Ensure effective leadership, management and supervision of the FGC coordinators and any other relevant staff in the team.
- Provide high quality leadership and direction to FGC staff, setting out the team goals and plan and making it clear how they support the fundamental purpose and contribute to the wider Trust’s values, strategies and plans.
- Ensure that requests for FGC’s are allocated among the coordinators in a timely manner.
- Use both qualitative and quantitative data to produce regular performance reports, evaluating the effectiveness of the FGC Service and identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Make evidence‑based recommendations for change and take responsibility for driving actions that improve practice standards and service outcomes.
- Ensure that all agencies involved in FGC work are aware of their responsibilities in relation to information sharing, facilitate safe and secure information exchange and provide support and challenge where any information sharing difficulties arise.
- Be proactive in employee development activities including regular supervision and appraisal to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development.
Requirements
- A relevant professional, academic or management qualification minimum NVQ Level 5 and/or able to demonstrate equivalent experience and evidence of on-going training and CDP.
- Minimum two years’ experience of working in a relevant role is desirable and as is experience of working in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
- Completed Family Group Conference facilitator training through an accredited organisation.
- Substantial and recent experience of managing staff and/or students working directly with children and families, building trust and establishing relationships.
- Experience of liaising with other professionals and working as a part of multi‑agency groups.
- Experience of managing, motivating and empowering staff to achieve improvement.
- Ability to work evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays as required by the needs of the service.
- Have a usable car available at all times or as advised by the line manager.
Benefits
- Generous Employer Contributions in a Local Government Pension Scheme
- Competitive salary and pay progression structure
- Real living wage as the minimum rate of pay
- Supportive carer and parental policies
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services
- Supportive staff networks
- Access to Blue Light Card Discounts
- Professional development/support
- Career Progression
- Enhanced annual leave entitlement
- Social Worker Registration Fees paid
- Flexible Working/Hybrid options subject to service need
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment. If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
To arrange an informal discussion, please contact Jo Else (Service Manager), jo.else@bradfordcft.org.uk or call on 07890 971289.
Closing Date: 5 July 2026; Interviews: From 13 July 26
Family Group Conferencing Team Manager in Bradford employer: Bradford Children and Families Trust
Working at Bradford Children and Families Trust means joining a dedicated team committed to making a real difference in the lives of families and children within a diverse community. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including generous pension contributions, flexible working options, and a supportive work culture, you will find ample opportunities for personal and professional growth while championing meaningful change in the Bradford district.
Contact Details:
Bradford Children and Families Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Group Conferencing Team Manager in Bradford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Bradford Children and Families Trust.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Bradford Children and Families Trust!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Bradford Children and Families Trust, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Bradford Children and Families Trust or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Group Conferencing Team Manager in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Bradford Children and Families Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Bradford Children and Families Trust! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bradford Children and Families Trust
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
