At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and embed relational and restorative practices to transform children's services.
- Company: Bradford Children and Families Trust, dedicated to making a difference in diverse communities.
- Benefits: Generous leave, excellent pension, health support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on families while fostering meaningful relationships and cultural change.
- Qualifications: Relevant degree and experience in children's services or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 42839 - 46142 £ per year.
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.
Supported by BCFT's Senior Leadership Team, this pivotal role will champion and embed relational and restorative practice as the foundation of our organisational culture. Working across operational, strategic and enabling services, the postholder will help create a consistent approach that places relationships at the heart of everything we do.
Our ambition is for relational and restorative practice to be the golden thread that runs throughout BCFT, shaping how we work with children and families, how we supervise and make decisions, how we collaborate with one another, and how we drive continuous improvement and quality assurance.
To achieve this vision and improve outcomes for children and families, the postholder will work closely with colleagues across the Trust, leading practical, hands-on improvement activity that strengthens relationships, builds capability, and embeds lasting cultural change.
Our strategic vision and values are upheld across the Trust, fostering a reliable and supportive environment for both staff and the children in our care. Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.
You’ll also:
- Lead and embed relational and restorative practice across children's social work, ensuring relationships are at the heart of all practice.
- Support practitioners, managers, and leaders to strengthen the quality, consistency, and impact of relationship-based approaches with children, young people, and families.
- Drive sustainable culture change, working with colleagues to embed relational and restorative principles across teams, services, and partnerships.
- Identify barriers and co-produce solutions that support the successful implementation of relational and restorative practice.
- Champion reflective practice and learning, facilitating forums, reviews, restorative conversations, and development opportunities that promote continuous improvement.
- Support leaders and managers to model relational behaviours and create safe, inclusive, reflective, and psychologically safe team cultures.
- Collaborate with People and Talent teams to design and deliver learning and development that strengthens relational practice and organisational culture.
- Evaluate and demonstrate impact, using learning, feedback, audits, inspections, and reviews to evidence improvements in practice, workforce experience, and outcomes for children and families.
- Translate learning into action, co-producing practical improvements that strengthen relationships, enhance practice quality, and deliver meaningful change.
To be successful in this role you will need:
Education & Knowledge
- Knowledge of relational and restorative practice and its impact on children, families, and the workforce.
- Understanding of safeguarding, children's services, and continuous improvement.
- Relevant degree or equivalent qualification in Social Work, Education, Psychology, Health, or a related field.
Experience
- Experience working within children's services, education, health, or a related sector.
- Experience embedding relational and restorative approaches and supporting culture change.
- Experience working collaboratively across teams, services, and partnerships.
- Experience facilitating learning, coaching, and reflective practice.
Skills & Abilities
- Strong relationship-building, influencing, and communication skills.
- Ability to support practice improvement and translate vision into meaningful action.
- Ability to provide constructive challenge and facilitate reflective learning.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reflective skills.
You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:
- Generous annual leave - 31 days rising to 34 with service, plus bank holidays
- Excellent Local Government pension
- Family-friendly policies and enhanced parental leave
- Health & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling
- Professional development and career progression opportunities
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 Andrea Walters – andrea.walters@bradfordcft.org.uk
Closing Date: 2 September 2026
Interviews: 14 September 2026
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive enough applications.
Salary PO3 £42,839 - £46,142 per annum
Job Reference bradfordcft/TP/652/673
Contract Type Full Time / Permanent
Job Category Strategy & Governance
Location Bradford, United Kingdom
Posted on 6 August, 2026
Relational and Restorative Practice Lead in Bradford employer: Bradford Children and Families Trust
Bradford Children and Families Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a supportive and nurturing environment for both staff and the young people in their care. With a strong focus on professional development, employees are encouraged to grow and advance their skills while making a meaningful impact in the community. The Trust fosters a collaborative work culture that values compassion and commitment, making it an ideal place for those passionate about improving the lives of children and families.
Contact Details:
Bradford Children and Families Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Relational and Restorative Practice Lead 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 Relational and Restorative Practice Lead 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.
