Family Time Manager

• Family_Time_Manager_JD

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

We have an excellent opportunity for a Family Time Manager to join our Early Help Team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a Full-time, permanent basis.

As Family Time Manager, you will take lead responsibility for delivering an effective supervised family time contact service at The Palm Centre, ensuring the safety and welfare of vulnerable children and their families during legal proceedings. You will manage a deputy manager and a team of contact workers, oversee all operational aspects of the centre while maintaining compliance with statutory health and safety regulations and WBC guidelines.

You will work closely with Social Workers, Foster Carers, CAFCASS, and other key partners to ensure family time arrangements support each child's needs. Creating and managing complex risk assessments, chairing contact review meetings, and producing accurate reports for court purposes form an integral part of your role. You will also support budget monitoring for The Palm Centre, participate in Social Care meetings, and champion the principles of corporate parenting throughout service delivery.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a dedicated, diplomatically skilled leader with significant experience to guide our team toward making a meaningful impact across the Borough.

⭐Staff Benefits⭐

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

⭐Generous Annual Leave – 31 days annual leave (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays

⭐Local Government Pension Scheme

⭐GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week

⭐Employee Assistance Programme - Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline

⭐Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines

⭐Free Onsite Gym - Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham

⭐Salary Sacrifice Schemes - Including Car and Cycle to Work schemes

⭐Local & Lifestyle Discounts - Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more

⭐Move through Menopause Course

⭐Sports & Social Group Activities – Including running, football, cricket & more

⭐Learning & Development Opportunities

⭐Employee Networks

⭐And more!

Key Responsibilities

• Overseeing daily operations to ensure high-quality, child-centred family time
• Supporting and developing a Family Time Deputy and team of Contact Workers through effective supervision and performance management
• Creating and reviewing complex risk assessments to ensure safe, supported contact
• Building strong partnerships with Social Workers, foster carers, and wider professionals
• Ensuring timely, accurate reports are completed to a high standard and are court-ready
• Managing the building, health & safety compliance, and service resources
• Leading recruitment, contributing to service development, and embedding continuous improvement
• Ensuring the voice and experience of the child underpins everything you do

Candidate Requirements

• We’re looking for someone who brings both strong professional expertise and emotional intelligence to this role.
• Ideally you will hold a relevant qualification in Social Work, Early Years, Parenting, or NVQ Level 4, and have experience working with children and families, including those impacted by trauma.
• You’ll demonstrate confident leadership, with experience in staff supervision and performance management, alongside a thorough understanding of safeguarding and child protection frameworks.
• You’ll be able to manage complex situations, competing priorities, and risk with confidence, while using excellent communication skills to build trust with families in distress.

Our Area:

Wokingham Borough Council has recently been ranked 2nd most productive council in England by the Impower Productivity Index, recognising our strong performance and efficient use of public money.

Our Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

Click the link below and apply Today!

Alternatively, to arrange an informal discussion about the role, contact Jackelyn Dance, Head of Service Helping Early, Community and Prevention, via jackelyn.dance@wokingham.gov.uk (Strictly no agencies).

Closing date: Sunday 28th June at 11pm

Interview date: W/c 6th July.

AI in Applications:

We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.