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 (url removed).

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