Family Practitioner

Family Practitioner Location: Staffordshire
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Grade: 7
Employer: Staffordshire County Council

Make a Difference to Children and Families At Staffordshire County Council, we are committed to creating a county where big ambitions, great connections and greener living give everyone the opportunity to prosper, be healthy and happy.

We're looking for passionate, resilient and relationship-focused Family Practitioners to join our Children's Services teams and help deliver meaningful change for children, young people and families across Staffordshire.

This is a rewarding opportunity to work directly with families using a restorative approach, providing both high support and high challenge to help children remain safely within their family networks and communities.

About the Role As a Family Practitioner, you will work alongside children, young people, families, carers and partner agencies to deliver practical interventions, build resilience and improve outcomes.

You will be a key member of a district-based team, supporting families through early help interventions and working collaboratively with Social Workers to support Children in Need, Child Protection plans and Children in Care.

This is a varied role where no two days are the same. You'll be helping families navigate challenges, reduce risks and create sustainable positive change.

Key Responsibilities

• Work directly with children, young people and families using a restorative practice approach.
• Support children to remain safely within their family networks or return home where appropriate.
• Lead and contribute to Early Help Assessments and intervention plans.
• Deliver targeted support and interventions to children, parents and carers.
• Facilitate family meetings, professional meetings, group work and parenting programmes.
• Undertake direct work around issues including:
  • Attachment
  • Behaviour management
  • Criminal exploitation
  • Staying safe
  • Loss and grief
  • Emotional wellbeing
• Support mediation, conflict resolution and crisis prevention.
• Contribute to parenting assessments and Life Story Work.
• Maintain accurate case records, reports and documentation.
• Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners to achieve the best outcomes for families.
• Provide flexible support, including occasional evenings and weekends when required.

What We're Looking For To be successful in this role, you will have:

Essential Requirements

• NVQ Level 3 in working with children and families (or equivalent qualification).
• Experience of direct work with vulnerable children, young people and families within statutory or voluntary sector services.
• Understanding of child development and the impact of trauma, adversity and stress on children.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and children's social care legislation.
• Understanding of issues affecting families, including:
  • Domestic abuse
  • Mental health
  • Substance misuse
  • Poverty and social disadvantage
• Experience of undertaking assessments and developing intervention plans.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families and professionals.
• Strong communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Good IT and report-writing abilities.
• Experience of delivering evidence-based parenting programmes.
• Commitment to restorative and strengths-based practice.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle (Essential Car User requirement).

Why Join Staffordshire County Council? At Staffordshire County Council, you'll be joining a service that is ambitious for its communities and committed to supporting its workforce.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do:

Ambitious We are ambitious for our communities, children and families.

Courageous We recognise challenges and make brave decisions to improve outcomes.

Empowering We trust and support our people to do their jobs well and develop their careers.

You'll benefit from:

• Ongoing training and professional development
• Supportive management and supervision
• Opportunities for career progression
• Flexible and collaborative working
• The chance to make a genuine impact on children's lives every day

Safeguarding Commitment Staffordshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All appointments will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.

Apply Now If you're passionate about helping children and families overcome challenges, strengthen relationships and achieve lasting positive outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and become part of a team dedicated to creating brighter futures for children and families across Staffordshire.

For applications, please contact:
John Deane
john.deane@servicecare.org.uk