Family Practitioner

Family Practitioner – Staffordshire County Council Grade 7

Are you passionate about supporting children, young people and families to thrive? Staffordshire County Council is looking for a dedicated Family Practitioner to join our Children’s Services team and make a meaningful impact in local communities.

? Our Vision A county where big ambitions, great connections and greener living give everyone the opportunity to prosper, be healthy and happy.

? Our Outcomes Everyone in Staffordshire will:

• Have access to more good jobs and share the benefits of economic growth
  
  
• Be healthier and more independent for longer
  
  
• Feel safer, happier, and more supported in their community
  
  

? Our Values We’re creating a workplace where people feel supported, motivated and empowered. Our values shape everything we do:

• Ambitious – striving for more for our communities and citizens
  
  
• Courageous – facing challenges and making brave decisions
  
  
• Empowering – giving our people the tools and trust to do great work
  
  

About the Role As a Family Practitioner, you’ll work with children, young people, families and carers using a restorative, high-support, high-challenge approach. Your work helps families stay together, strengthens placements, and ensures children feel safe, understood and supported.

This role is politically restricted under local government legislation.

Key Responsibilities

• Work directly with children and families to help children remain with or return to their families, or to stabilise foster placements
  
  
• Lead early help assessments and plans, acting as key worker for families
  
  
• Work collaboratively with social workers across CIN, CP and Children in Care work
  
  
• Contribute to parenting assessments, mediation, crisis prevention, conflict resolution and Life Story Work
  
  
• Deliver focussed work on topics such as staying safe, loss and grief, behaviour management, attachment and exploitation
  
  
• Use restorative practice to build relationships and support positive change
  
  
• Organise and facilitate meetings, events and group work with families and professionals
  
  
• Maintain accurate case recording and documentation
  
  
• Work flexibly, including some evenings and weekends, to provide timely support
  
  

What We’re Looking For Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in work relating to children and families
  
  

Experience & Knowledge

• Direct work with vulnerable children, young people and families
  
  
• Strong IT skills (Microsoft packages)
  
  
• Understanding of child development, trauma, mental health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, poverty and vulnerabilities
  
  
• Knowledge of multi-agency working and key legislation for children’s social care
  
  
• Experience delivering evidence-based parenting programmes
  
  
• Ability to assess needs and make sound, accountable decisions
  
  

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively with children and families
  
  
• Strong relationship-building and intervention skills
  
  
• Confident in challenging or conflict situations
  
  
• Ability to maintain high-quality written records
  
  
• Demonstrated commitment to restorative practice
  
  
• Essential Car User
  
  

Professional Expectations You will champion:

• Safe, efficient and effective service delivery
  
  
• Equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice
  
  
• Climate-conscious working
  
  
• High standards of safeguarding
  
  
• A healthy and safe working environment
  
  

Apply or Refer To apply, send your CV to john.deane@servicecare.org.uk.

Know someone who’d be perfect for this role?
? Refer them and earn £250 if they’re successful!