Independent Family Group Conference Coordinator

Job Description

The London Borough of Harrow is excited to announce a new opportunity in the Family Group Conference (FGC) Team for a Family Group Conference Coordinator role on a short-term, casual basis. This is a great opportunity to support families in making their own decisions through a structured, family-led process.

Working as part of the Family Group Conference Service, you will play an impactful role in aligning our practices with the principles of family engagement, empowerment, and inclusivity. The Coordinator will receive FGC referrals from social workers, prepare families and children for conferences, support professionals in understanding their roles, as well as facilitate the practical aspects of setting up FGCs. They will decide on the necessary preparatory work, ensuring good practice to create successful Family Plans and positive outcomes.

In this role, you will be responsible for making critical decisions that influence service provision, advocacy, and multi-agency working, ensuring families are supported to safeguard and meet the needs of their children. Guided by Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) and the Families First for Children reforms (2023–2025), you will champion a collaborative, family-centred approach that prioritises early help, strengthens family networks, and promotes the safety, wellbeing, and development of every child. You will need to hold an FGC accreditation, and experience in mediation and Life Long Links is also welcomed.

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills in the FGC process and work within a supportive team environment.

The postholder will be required to be available out of working hours.

The successful candidate will have :

• An understanding of the family group conference model, as well as legislation and guidance relating to children.
• Knowledge of social care processes relating to children.
• Experience of working with children and/or families, especially during times of crisis.
• The ability to be diplomatic and respectful, but not flinch from raising and discussing difficult issues in an open and frank manner when needed.
• The ability to mediate, negotiate, cope with the unexpected, and manage conflict to enable children, young people, and other family members to make a plan.
• A passion for empowering families to make informed decisions.
• Confidence in convening and chairing large meetings.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Experience as an accredited FGC Coordinator

If this appeals to you, and you are interested in being a part of our journey as we build bridges within the FGC, strengthening our team for future success and upholding the values integral to the FGC approach, we would love to hear from you.

For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/Selection Criteria

About us

Harrow Council is the 12th largest London borough and one of the most culturally diverse local authorities in the UK, making it a great place to live, work and visit with a range of cultures, religions and opinions that come together to produce high achieving schools and a close and friendly community. Located 10 miles from the city centre and just 13 minutes to Euston from Harrow & Wealdstone station there are great transport links via the Metropolitan Line, Watford DC Line and national rail service. It is easily accessible to the M1, M25 and A406.

Other information

Support for candidates visit:Harrow.gov.uk Our behavioural indicators roles below G11 and above G11 Here at Harrow Council, the vision is one of 'Working together to make a difference for Harrow' Please click here to view Harrow Council's benefits

Important Note

To deliver our commitment to equality of opportunity in service provision, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs at the London Borough of Harrow. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender, reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity unless a Genuine Occupational Qualification applies. As such, we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. For further information, please read our equality statement.

As a disability-confident employer, we are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and accessible to everyone. This includes reasonably adjusting the recruitment process for those with disabilities or long-term health conditions. For further information, please contact us at resourcing@harrow.gov.uk

London Borough of Harrow is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Harrow operates stringent, safer recruitment procedures.

Due to the high number of applications received for some posts, we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

Harrow redeployees will be given priority consideration.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, any your data protection rights, can be found by visiting www.cifas.org.uk/fpn