At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower families through meaningful conversations and facilitate transformative Family Group Conferences.
- Company: Join Oxfordshire County Council, a diverse and inclusive organisation dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Great learning opportunities and support for your ongoing development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working creatively and independently.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care and strong facilitation skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 45000 € per year.
About Us
Are you passionate about empowering children, young people, and families to create meaningful and lasting change? Do you believe in the power of family‑led decision‑making? If so, this rewarding role could be your next step.
About the Role
We are expanding our Family Group Conferencing Service as part of Oxfordshire’s Families First initiative. As an Independent FGC & Lifelong Links Coordinator, you will play a vital role in helping families come together, develop their own bespoke solutions, and strengthen relationships that support children now and into the future. This is a unique opportunity to work creatively and independently, engaging with families from all backgrounds and supporting them through challenging but transformative conversations.
You will support with the following:
- Facilitating Family Group Conferences and Lifelong Links meetings that place families at the heart of planning.
- Working directly with children, young people, extended family members and their professional network.
- Helping identify and build lifelong connections for children who may be isolated or at risk.
- Managing meetings in an inclusive, empowering way – ensuring every voice is heard.
- Maintaining accurate case records and contributing to service development and research.
- Working flexibly across Oxfordshire, independently managing your caseload and time.
About you
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Experienced in children’s social care or related settings.
- Confident in group facilitation and managing complex family dynamics.
- Skilled in engaging children and young people in meaningful participation.
- Highly organised, self‑motivated and able to work autonomously.
- Committed to restorative, relational and solution‑focused practice.
- Able to work flexibly, sometimes in the evenings or at weekends.
- A car user with business insurance (due to travel across the county).
Experience in mediation, advocacy, restorative practice or Family Group Conferencing is beneficial, but not essential – we will invest in your ongoing learning and development.
Rewards and benefits
- Relocation expenses of up to £8,000
- A good to outstanding OFSTED rating
- Regular training opportunities
- A flexible, agile organisation
- A generous local government pension scheme
- 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Culture of flexible working
- Technology to support agile working where role permits
- Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
- 24/7 access to Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
- Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
- Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Annelies Henshall, Principal Social Worker: Annelies.Henshall@oxfordshire.gov.uk or Sharon Peart, Team Manager for Family Group Conferencing: Sharon.Peart@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Our Commitment to: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our Commitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our Commitment to: Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our Commitment to: Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi‑time, part time working, job sharing, nine‑day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
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Independent Family Group Conference & Lifelong Links Coordinator in Oxford employer: Fenland District Council
Oxfordshire County Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering families and children through innovative and meaningful engagement. With a strong commitment to employee development, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive work culture, staff enjoy generous benefits including relocation expenses, a robust pension scheme, and access to health and wellbeing resources. This role offers the unique opportunity to make a lasting impact in the community while enjoying a collaborative and inclusive environment in the vibrant city of Oxford.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Family Group Conference & Lifelong Links Coordinator in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field of children's social care and family support. Attend local events or workshops, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers or colleagues, share your experiences in group facilitation and working with families. Use real-life examples to demonstrate how you've made a difference – it’s all about making that personal connection.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a role that excites you, apply through our website. Don’t wait for the perfect moment; take the leap and show us why you’re the right fit for the Independent FGC & Lifelong Links Coordinator position.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for those interviews! Research the organisation and think about how your values align with theirs. Be ready to discuss how you can empower families and children, and don’t forget to ask questions that show your genuine interest in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Family Group Conference & Lifelong Links Coordinator in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for empowering children and families shine through. Use examples from your experience that demonstrate your commitment to family-led decision-making and how you've made a difference in similar roles.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application specifically to the role of Independent FGC & Lifelong Links Coordinator. Highlight your relevant experience in children's social care and any skills in group facilitation or managing complex family dynamics that align with what we're looking for.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. This will help us easily see how your skills and experiences match the requirements of the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered promptly. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fenland District Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the role of an Independent Family Group Conference & Lifelong Links Coordinator. Familiarise yourself with family-led decision-making and the Families First initiative. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their mission.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience in children's social care and group facilitation. Prepare specific examples that highlight your ability to manage complex family dynamics and engage children and young people meaningfully. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Emphasise Flexibility
Since the role requires flexible working hours, be prepared to discuss your availability and willingness to work evenings or weekends. Share any past experiences where you successfully managed your time and caseload independently, showcasing your organisational skills.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team culture, ongoing training opportunities, and how they support staff in their roles. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
