Family Group Conference Co-ordinator - Kinship Care Team We are currently recruiting two full time Family Group Conference (FGC) coordinators 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 finding and linking in extended family to support a young person, carrying out Family Group Conferences 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. 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 an FGC coordinator would be to organise the meeting and assist the family to come to their own decisions about how they will care for their child/ren. You will need: Ability to support children and their families, with information from agencies, to enable them to find their own solutions to difficulties. Experience working in or around social care, or a role that involves problem-solving in sensitive situations or at time of crisis 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 Desirable: FGC accredited or Diploma (NVQ or BTEC Level 3) in either Youth Work, Health, Education, Advocacy, Mediation or related disciplines W hat we can offer you : Here at SCC we have a range of different perks and benefits, a few examples can be found below. A generous local government pension scheme. Flexible working (role dependant). Up to 13 days of Flexi Leave. Hybrid working arrangements (role dependant). 25 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays. Online Benefits – salary sacrifice schemes, benefits and discounts. Great local transport links. Employee assistance programme with access to our health wellbeing and support. F or further information on our benefits package please visit : Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk) Contact details for informal discussion: For further information and details regarding the role, please contact the lead for FGC’s Paula Weir, Assistant team manager, on 023 8083 2802 or via email paula.weirsouthampton.gov.uk or Gayle Langhorn, Team Manager, gayle.langhornsouthampton.gov.uk Recruitment contact details: Email: recruitmentsouthampton.gov.uk Tel: 023 8083 4033 For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council Follow us on social media for regular updates on our featured jobs and latest news. Twitter Facebook YouTube