Lifelong Links Facilitator in Manchester

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 Hours per week

Contract Type: Full time/Permanent

Additional Payments: Essential car user allowance

Closing Date: 05 August 2026

Closing time: 11.59pm

Interview Method: Face to Face

This role is subject to:

• Legal right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment.
• 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.
• Diploma Level III Caring for Children and Young People (equivalent or above).
• Medical Clearance - Pre-placement health assessment (PPHA)
• Essential Car Documentation- This post is a designated Essential Car User. Therefore, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work. You will receive the Essential Car User Allowance.
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We’re looking for a committed and confident Lifelong Links Facilitator to join our service. This is a chance to make a real difference for children, young people and families across Manchester, empowering them to create safe and sustainable plans that keep children connected to those who know them best.

What You’ll Do

• Help children and young people who are living in care and care leavers to reconnect with significant people from their lives.
• Build trusting relationships and deliver direct work with children and young people to explore their wider family and support network.
• Ensure children’s wishes and feelings are central to every decision.
• Prepare, arrange and facilitate Lifelong Links Family Group Conferences.
• Work collaboratively with social workers, partner agencies and community services.
• Promote the Lifelong Links service and contribute to innovative approaches that improve outcomes.

Who We’re Looking For

• Someone who communicates clearly, listens deeply and builds rapport quickly.
• Creative, adaptable and can respond to the wishes and feelings of children and young people.
• Organises workload effectively and takes ownership.
• Lives the Our Manchester behaviours - working together, valuing differences and striving for better outcomes.

Skills & Experience

• Level 3 Diploma in Caring for Children and Young People (or equivalent/above).
• Experience working directly with children, young people or families.
• Experience of FGC/Family Group Decision Making.
• Strong communication, planning and problem-solving skills.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Willingness to undertake physical intervention training and an enhanced DBS check.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a supportive and values-driven team in a local authority rated Outstanding by Ofsted - a place where innovation, strengths-based practice and genuine partnership with families are at the heart of everything we do.

Ready to Make a Difference?

About the Candidate

Lifelong Links aims to ensure that a child in care or a care leaver has someone to rely on. As such, you will have a strong belief in valuing, supporting and maintaining family connections for all children and young people who are care experienced. You will need to be committed to improving outcomes for children and promoting the child’s wishes and feelings. You will develop good joint working partnerships, with Families, Children and Young People and their significant others, contributing to the development and implementation of the family plan. You will need to be adaptable and responsive to the needs of the children, young people and their support network and able to confidently prepare and facilitate a Family Group Conference. The role holder will be a team player who can demonstrate a flexible and dynamic approach to their role. This may include you being willing to travel for visits or hold conferences in the evening or at weekends.

About Us

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities. Working for Manchester is not just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks during our annual leave purchase period.
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your newborn or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave.