Senior Practitioner (FGC) in Slough

If you are looking for a challenging yet rewarding role, one where you will be supported every step of the way, Slough Children First could be the place for you. Do you thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment where you will play a vital role in Family Led Decision Making, Mediation and Advocacy Service, where your expertise in Family Group Conferences will promote the service, guide and mentor our team of Independent Coordinators including undertaking training to enhance the use, knowledge and practice of Family Led Decision Making across teams and services?

We want all our children to be Happy, Safe & Loved, Thriving. Our focused Ofsted inspection visit was a positive demonstration of the progress we have made over the years and the improved services we offer children, young people, and families in Slough. We do not want to stop there. We know there are further improvements to be made which is why we are looking to recruit the best people to help us achieve them.

As we continue our improvement journey, we are building and developing a transformation programme to assist us in ensuring consistent quality of practice and interventions for our children and young people. You will be part of a small team which will implement our Improvement Plan and achieve measurable impact on the quality of our services. We embrace restorative, solution practices and a relationship model, keeping children and young people’s voices, wishes and feelings at the center of all we do.

If you are looking for a new challenge and want to be part of an exciting time for children’s services in Slough, then come and join us. Slough is one of the most diverse places in the country outside of London and a great place to live or work. In fact, it is the best place to live or work according to a survey by Glassdoor. Pleasant environments, above average salaries, and a lower cost of living, mean an increased quality of life for employees. We are also one of the most accessible places to be, nestled on the corner of the M25, M4 and M40, and less than 20 minutes by train to Central London.

The Family Led Decision Making, Mediation and Advocacy service sits within the Strategic Improvement area of Slough Children First and promotes the use of solution focused practices to bring families together to participate in safeguarding decision making and planning processes which increase the safety and wellbeing of our children, young people. The service works with children, young people, their families, community networks and professionals internally and externally where there are concerns about safeguarding, risk of edge of care, exploitation, gang affiliation, school exclusions, missing episodes, drug and alcohol misuse, special education needs, domestic abuse, placement breakdowns, children in care and care leavers looking at significant connections or reconnections.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, facilitate, mentor, train and deliver a caseload of high-quality complex safeguarding Family Led Decision Meetings (FLDMs), Mediation Referrals where parental conflict and separation is impacting a child or young person’s mental health and wellbeing, and provide independent advocacy for Slough Children First, in accordance with current government legislation, the Children Social Care reforms, including the Children’s Wellbeing & School Bill 2024, and identified policies, practice standards and aims of safeguarding independent services.
• Support the FGC Team Manager with your FGC experience, knowledge and expertise to promote, develop and embed Slough Children First Family Led Decision Making, Mediation, Advocacy service within a framework of equality of opportunity.
• Be part of a Service that responds appropriately to the needs of individual children, young people and families with diverse needs, complexities, and backgrounds.

Be available for an informal chat with the FGC Team Manager to discuss the role and expectations. For an informal chat please do contact Karen Brown, FGC Team Manager on Mobile: 07521 218458 or Email: karen.brown@sloughchidrenfirst.co.uk

Apply

If you would like to apply for this post, please use the online application form to submit your CV and apply online at Vacancies | Slough Children First. We work on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of 3 days per week based in the office. The deadline for submitted applications is Sunday 01 March 2026 with interviews taking place in the week commencing 9 March 2026.

Slough Children First is an exciting place to be. We want to be the best and we’re looking for people with the skills, drive, energy and ambition to help us get there! We are looking for people with a passion for children’s social care and a desire to help protect the more vulnerable members of our society.