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- Tasks: Support families in safeguarding children and establish vital family links.
- Company: Join a top-rated team in Southampton dedicated to child welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, flexible working, and wellness support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care or problem-solving roles, strong communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for training, development, and community volunteering.
The predicted salary is between 37280 - 40778 £ per year.
Organisation
Southampton City Council
Service Area
Family Safeguarding
Job Location
Civic Centre
Contract Length
Permanent
Work Hours
Full time 37 hours per week
Salary
£37,280 to £40,778 per annum
Special Requirements
Enhanced DBS check required
Closing Date
15/10/2025
Job Reference
16047
Job Description and Person specification
We saw that social care reform was coming, and we acted. We transformed our service, restructured our teams, changed how we work with each other and our partners, and we improved.
We believe one simple thing: that everyday counts and everyone matters.
Over the last couple of years, we\’ve been on a journey that has seen Ofsted has our Children\’s Services as \’Good\’ with \’Outstanding Leadership\’, and more recently has inspected our SEND provision (Area full SEND inspection) and how we work with partner agencies (Joint Target Area Inspection). In every inspection Ofsted has recognised our commitment and dedication to delivering the best outcomes for children, young people and families.
But we\’re ambitious for our children and young people, so our journey continues.
We have an opportunity for a full time (37 hours per week) Family Practitioner to join our Kinship Care team.
About the team:
You will join an energetic and dynamic team striving to keeping children within their Kinship network. The team consist of Social Workers and Family Practitioners who take on various roles within the Safeguarding Service.
Our service links in with almost every aspect of Children\’s Services, whether that be via Family Links, linking in extended family to support a young person, carrying out Family Group Conferences (FGC) or providing post Special Guardianship support. We have lead responsibility for Private Fostering and Stepparent Adoption as well as fostering assessments for Kinship carers.
We are committed to continue providing the best service we can for our children and families. Here in Southampton, we have received a \’Good\’ outcome from Ofsted during our most recent inspection with a grading of \’Outstanding\’ in respect of leadership and management. We recognise that for workers to be at their best to support families, they need the right support from their leaders in learning opportunities, consistent meaningful supervision, and a positive work environment.
We promote relational practice and believe that positive and open relationships with each other, with our colleague agencies and with our families are essential to helping create change and supporting families.
About the role:
In Southampton we are committed to supporting families to make realistic, safe/robust plans for protection of their children and to enable them to care for their children within their own family network. We know that children often lose links with their extended family and friendship network; part of our role is to try and establish these links for young people. The FGC model is used to bring family members and friends together to look at how they can collectively provide sustainable solutions to the problems being experienced in caring for children within the family.
Your role as a Family Practitioner would be in respect of family links work, possible FGC and post guardianship support as well as delivering training to kinship carers. The role is varied and dynamic with a clear ethos of keeping children within their family or extended networks.
About you:
- Experience working in or around social care, or a role that involves problem-solving in sensitive situations or at time of crisis
- Ability to support children and their families, with information from agencies, to enable them to find their own solutions to difficulties.
- Clear child focus and being adept in bringing people together and ensuring everyone is listened to.
- Good communication skills and the ability to engage quickly with clients will be essential.
- Mediation skills are vital to the post in order that differences of opinion can be expressed constructively.
- Openness and honesty
- A creative and compassionate approach to work
What we can offer you:
Salary: The salary band for this role is £37,280 – £40,778. The starting salary is £37,280 with annual progression through the salary bands.
Here at SCC we have a range of different perks and benefits, a few examples can be found below.
- Excellent local government pension with 16.8% employer contribution
- Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
- Flexible working options (role-dependent)
- Family-friendly policies – Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
- Health and wellbeing support – Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
- Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
- Sustainable travel benefits – low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer
For further information on our benefits package please visit: Employee benefits )
Contact details for informal discussion:
For further information and details regarding the role, please contact Paula Weir, Assistant Team Manager, or Gayle Langhorn, Team Manager,
Please note: We are not able to offer Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship on this role, at this time.
Recruitment contact details:
Email:
Tel:
For more information about this campaign please visit: Southampton\’s social care reform journey
For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council
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Family Practitioner Family Finding Team/Kinship employer: Southampton City Council
Contact Detail:
Southampton City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Practitioner Family Finding Team/Kinship
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in social care and let them know you're on the hunt for a Family Practitioner role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your mediation skills. Think of real-life scenarios where you've helped resolve conflicts or brought people together. This will show your potential employers that you can handle sensitive situations with ease.
✨Tip Number 3
When you get an interview, don’t just talk about your experience—share your passion for supporting families! Highlight how your approach aligns with their ethos of keeping children within their family networks. It’s all about showing you’re the right fit!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the lives of children and families.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Practitioner Family Finding Team/Kinship
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Family Support: When writing your application, let your passion for supporting families shine through. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment to helping children and their families, especially in sensitive situations.
Be Clear and Concise: We want to see your skills and experiences clearly laid out. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. Make sure to address the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description, so we can see how you fit into our team.
Highlight Your Communication Skills: Since good communication is crucial in this role, make sure to showcase your ability to engage with clients effectively. Include examples of how you've successfully mediated differing opinions or brought people together in past roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southampton City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Familiarise yourself with the role of a Family Practitioner and the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description. Understand the importance of family links, FGCs, and post-guardianship support. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your commitment to safeguarding children and supporting families during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in social care or similar roles. Think about situations where you've successfully navigated sensitive issues or crises. Be ready to discuss your communication and mediation skills, as these are crucial for engaging with clients and facilitating discussions among family members.
✨Emphasise Relational Practice
Since the role focuses on building positive relationships, be prepared to talk about how you foster connections with families and colleagues. Share instances where you've created a supportive environment or helped others feel heard and valued. This will show that you align with the team's ethos of relational practice.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready. Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how the organisation supports its staff. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the workplace culture aligns with your values.