FGC Coordinator x 2 temporary post - #1723022

Job title: FGC co-ordinator

Salary: PO2 £38,626 - £41,511

Hours: 37

Contract: Fixed Term Until 31 st March 2026

Location: Morley Town Hall & Albion House

An exciting opportunity has arisen for two Family Group Conference Co-ordinators to join our current team.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions .

About You

Are you skilled in empowering families to make decisions about the welfare of children and young people? If so, we have four opportunities available as part of our busy Family Group Conference Service. We facilitate Family Group Conferences in a range of situations, including where children are at risk of harm, becoming looked after or where domestic violence and abuse is present. The premise of the approach is valuing both the right and the ability of families to come together to resolve their own issues and to seek out those around a child who may be most able to do this. This network is then brought together in a Family Group Conference (FGC) to make decisions and plans with, and for, the young person, which should be integrated into the professional pathways and inform the services around a child or young person.

The post holder will join a large team of FGC coordinators and be responsible for managing a caseload and facilitating FGCs for children and families in Leeds. This will involve direct work with children, young people, their family and support networks, referring professionals and the practical organisation of the FGCs themselves. It is also essential to work collaboratively with other services to promote high quality outcomes for families.

Key responsibilities include:

• Preparing families, children and young people for their FGC to ensure their fullest participation
• Flexibly working to coordinate and facilitate FGC’s at a time convenient to the family
• Contribute to the promotion and development of the FGC service and the use of restorative approaches
  
  
  

Key skills include:

• A commitment to and experience of working in partnership with vulnerable children, young people and families.
• Skills in engaging families, approachable with strong communication and organisational skills.
• CQSW/ DIPSW/ NVQ 3 and/or equivalent qualification in relevant service area (e.g. social care, education, youth service) and 3 years relevant work experience
• FGC trained (3 day Coordinator Training) would be desirable but is not essential
  
  
  

What We Offer You

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
  
  
  

How To Apply

Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you are interested or want more information please contact [email protected] or [email protected]

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy .

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

Family Group Conference (FGC) Coordinators will be responsible for providing high quality Family Group Conferences in Leeds.

Responsibilities

• To plan, organise, coordinate and facilitate initial Family Group Conferences and reviews in a way that responds appropriately to the needs of individual families from diverse backgrounds.
• To exercise a high degree of independence, initiative and expertise in order to co-ordinate meetings which bring together families and professionals to make and agree safe plans for children and young people within their network.
• To ensure that all family members are able to participate fully in the Family Group Conference process, in particular to facilitate the involvement of children and young people in FGC’s using a wide range communication techniques.
• To ensure that vulnerable adults are supported through the FGC process.
• To ensure that, in conjunction with the team manager, that safeguarding procedures are adhered to by:
• Recognising and taking action in relation to the safety of children where concerns and risks are identified.
• Supporting families to draw up plans and implement arrangements which will ensure a child is safely cared for within their family network.
• To provide advice and consultancy to professional staff and other agencies about FGC’s and advise on potential referrals.
• To provide training for referrers, other professionals and community groups about the FGC model.
• To provide training for professionals who will be presenting information to a FGC.
• To collect data for the FGC evaluation process, ensuring feedback from the FGC is gathered from children, young people, family members and professionals.
• To ensure that administrative tasks of Family Group Conferences, including the initial FGC and follow up review are completed.
• To contribute to the development and promotion of Leeds Family Group Conference Service and related work to support vulnerable children and families.
• To take part in regular supervision, practice development groups and training sessions to ensure good quality practice, up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development.
• To undertake other duties as required by the FGC service manager in relation to the implementation of FGC’s.
• To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
• To actively promote and support Leeds City Council's Policies on Equal Opportunities and to work in an anti-oppressive manner
  
  
  

Qualifications

The post requires that the post holder has the CQSW/DipSW/ NVQ Level 3 or equivalent professional qualification in a relevant service area. If a qualified Social Worker, you should be registered with Social Care England upon commencement of the post and maintain yearly registration.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Ability to work independently, use initiative and be self motivated.
• Ability to chair and facilitate meetings involving families, children and young people
• Ability to work in an organised way and to timescales
• Ability to establish a good working relationship with referrer and communicate with all family members, including children and young people, enabling them to take an active part in the process.
• Ability to manage conflict and encourage adults to make plans in the best interests of children.
• Ability to negotiate and mediate in a wide range of situations
• Ability to inform family and appropriate agency staff of any new risks to children.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work creatively and flexibly, solution focussed and reflective
• Active listening skills.
• Ability to take a neutral role.
• Ability to develop positive relationships with staff from all agencies.
• Good level of computer literacy
• Flexibility to work outside normal working hours to fit in with the needs of families
  
  
  

Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
  
  
  

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