Family Assessment Practitioner Grade 1-4 in Swanley

Location:

The Lodge Family Assessment Centre, Swanley, Kent

Salary:

£30,784 – £39,584 per annum, depending on grade and experience

Hours:

40 hours per week – 5 shifts across a 7-day rota, including 2 weekends per month

Contract:

Permanent, full-time

Grades available:

Grades 1 to 4

About Green Harvest

Green Harvest opened its Family Assessment Service in 2023 to give vulnerable children and families a safe place to stay, and the time and patience to work through the challenges they face.

Our two Residential Family Assessment Centres, The Groves and Serenity Lodge, are both rated “Good” in all areas by Ofsted. The Lodge in Swanley is our third centre, delivering court-ordered parenting assessments lasting 13 to 16 weeks. We work alongside families with warmth and respect, and our assessments are fair, robust and evidence-based.

About the role

Are you passionate about keeping families together and giving children the safest possible start?

We're building the practitioner team at The Lodge and recruiting at four grades, so whether you're starting out or ready for a senior role, there's a place for you. You'll work alongside families during one of the most important periods of their lives, observing, supporting and recording how parents care for their children. Your work feeds directly into court assessments, so accuracy, compassion and good judgement really matter.

All practitioners will

• Observe families and keep clear, accurate electronic records
• Support parents to meet their children's emotional and physical needs and keep them safe
• Identify, record and elevate safeguarding concerns promptly
• Work within the Regulations and Standards for Residential Family Centres

The four roles

Ideal if you have some relevant experience and are working towards a Level 3 qualification, or are newly qualified.

• Observe families in placement and record parent–child interactions
• Contribute to each family's weekly assessment plan
• Be a positive role model and help maintain high standards of childcare and house management
• You’ll need: some experience in family support, social care, childcare or a related field, and strong observation and recording skills

For practitioners ready to share responsibility for a family alongside a keyworker.

• Complete weekly Family Assessment Plans (FAPs) and detailed daily records
• Deliver key work sessions and teach and model parenting skills
• Complete and update risk assessments and liaise with stakeholders
• Hold a 'house champion' role, such as health and safety champion
• You’ll need: experience in family support or social care, and confidence modelling parenting practices. A Level 3 qualification is desirable

For experienced practitioners ready to hold their own family.

• Act as primary assessment practitioner for at least one family
• Develop and review FAPs and analyse daily observation records
• Liaise with the Independent Social Worker, including contributing records for CUBA
• Support referrals and take part in pre-placement planning meetingsYou’ll need: a Level 3 qualification in childcare, Children and Young People or Residential Childcare (or equivalent), plus proven experience and strong report‑writing skills

For senior practitioners ready to lead practice and develop others.

• Act as primary assessment practitioner for at least two families
• Lead pre-placement and transition planning into and out of the service
• Mentor colleagues, including the induction and supervision of new staff
• Support Centre Managers with the day-to-day running of the Centre
• You’ll need: a Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) and working towards or committed to Level 5, substantial experience, and readiness to supervise staff

What we offer

• Paid annual leave
• Staff wellbeing programme – support for your health and wellbeing, because this work matters and so do you
• Training and development pathways – a full paid induction, ongoing training and funded qualifications
• Clear progression – from Grade 1 through to Grade 4, and we promote from within
• Regular supervision and managers who are available to support you
• Free on-site parking

Closing date and timeline

Closing date: Tuesday, 3 November 2026. Your CV and completed application form must both reach us by this date. We aim to keep you informed at every stage:

• 2–3 November – shortlisting
• By 4 November – shortlisted applicants contacted
• Week commencing 23 November – site visit for preferred candidates
• Thursday 7 January 2027 – proposed start date

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and is subject to an Enhanced DBS check. Green Harvest is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and families. All applicants will go through a thorough recruitment process, including background checks. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

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