Lifelong Links Coordinator

About the Role

We are seeking a passionate and skilled Lifelong Links Coordinator to join our Targeted Prevention Hub. This is a pivotal role in supporting families to make safe and sustainable plans for their children through a strengths-based, family-led decision-making process. The Lifelong Links Coordinator will work closely with the Family Group Conference Coordinators based in the Targeted Prevention Hub.

As a Lifelong Links Coordinator, you will work independently to understand the child’s family history and journey in to care; you will explore who is missing from their life currently and what the child would benefit from now and in the future. You will then facilitate conferences that empower families and networks to reconnect with each other and then support the family to decide how they will assist the child or young person. The child led plan will have your input and oversight to help the network resolve concerns, reduce risk, and improving outcomes for children and young people whilst keeping everyone safe. You will be responsible for preparing families, coordinating meetings, and ensuring that the process is inclusive, respectful, and aligned with national Lifelong Link (and Family Group Conference) standards.

More information about the Lifelong Links programme can be found here

https://frg.org.uk/lifelong-links/what-is-lifelong-links/

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Audrey Anderson, Targeted Prevention Hub Manager (Looked After Children and Permanency) at audrey.anderson@brent.gov.uk

Key Responsibilities

• Working closely with social workers, foster carers and leaving care personal advisors to identify children and young people who will benefit from a Lifelong Links intervention.
• Building positive working relationships with children and young people to explore their family history, their experiences of coming into care, what their current needs are and supporting them to understand how a Lifelong Links plan will benefit the,
• Contacting previous foster carers, birth parents, extended family members as well as other professionals including teachers, support workers, contact supervisors, advocates, independent visitors and other key professionals working with children, parents, young people and their families.
• Facilitate Family Group Conferences in line with national standards and Brent’s CYPCD (Children, Young People and Community Development) Ways of Working.
• Engage and prepare families, professionals, and wider networks for participation in the Lifelong Links and FGC process.
• Ensure the child or young person remains central to the planning and decision-making.
• Ensure plans made for the child are robust, flexible, creative, sustainable and safe.
• Provide advocacy and support to children and families throughout the process.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to service evaluation and development.
• Work collaboratively with social care teams, education, health, and voluntary sector partners to raise awareness of Lifelong Links and to obtain information required for Lifelong Links interventions.

About You

You will be an experienced practitioner with a background in social work, youth work, community work, early years, mediation, or family support. You will have:

• A recognised qualification (e.g. NVQ Level 3 or equivalent) in a relevant field.
• Adequate experience working with families in distress or conflict.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills.
• A commitment to anti-racist practice and cultural sensitivity.
• The ability to work flexibly across Brent and occasionally outside normal working hours.

Why Join Us?

Brent Council is committed to supporting families through innovative and inclusive practice. As part of our Early Help Service, you will be joining a team that values collaboration, professional development, and community impact.

We know people achieve their best when they feed valued. At Brent, you’ll benefit from:

• Up to 33 days annual leave (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays
• Excellent pension with generous employer contributions (LGPS)
• Hybrid and flexible working options available for most roles
• Supportive family-friendly policies for parent, guardians, and carers
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to eye test support and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Financial support such as education sessions, childcare deposit loans, and season ticket loans
• Travel perks including affordable parking nearby, a Cycle to Work scheme, and great onsite facilities
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career

Closing Date: Monday 6 April 2026 (23:59)

Additional Information

If you are interested in applying for this job, please start by clicking the "Apply Now" button below. You must provide a supporting statement as part of your application that clearly shows how you meet the criteria on the Person Specification. We will accept a CV in support of your application, however, you should still provide a supporting statement.

We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that posts working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances.

The information we collect 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. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas and your data protection rights, can be found here.

Brent has a positive approach to flexible working.

As a disability confident employer Brent welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including “non-visible” disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us.