Independent Family Group Conference & Lifelong Links Coordinator

Job Introduction

About Us

Are you passionate about empowering children, young people, and families to create meaningful and lasting change? Do you believe in the power of family‑led decision making? If so, this rewarding role could be your next step.

About the Role

We are expanding our Family Group Conferencing Service as part of Oxfordshire’s Families First initiative. As an Independent FGC & Lifelong Links Coordinator, you will play a vital role in helping families come together, develop their own bespoke solutions, and strengthen relationships that support children now and into the future.

This is a unique opportunity to work creatively and independently, engaging with families from all backgrounds and supporting them through challenging but transformative conversations.

You will support with the following:

• Facilitating Family Group Conferences and Lifelong Links meetings that place families at the heart of planning.
• Working directly with children, young people, extended family members and their professional network.
• Helping identify and build lifelong connections for children who may be isolated or at risk.
• Managing meetings in an inclusive, empowering way - ensuring every voice is heard.
• Maintaining accurate case records and contributing to service development and research.
• Working flexibly across Oxfordshire, independently managing your caseload and time.

About you

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in children’s social care or related settings.
• Confident in group facilitation and managing complex family dynamics.
• Skilled in engaging children and young people in meaningful participation.
• Highly organised, self‑motivated and able to work autonomously.
• Committed to restorative, relational and solution‑focused practice.
• Able to work flexibly, sometimes in the evenings or at weekends.
• A car user with business insurance (due to travel across the county).

Experience in mediation, advocacy, restorative practice or Family Group Conferencing is beneficial, but not essential - we will invest in your ongoing learning and development.

Rewards and benefits

• Relocation expenses of up to £8,000
• A good to outstanding OFSTED rating
• Regular training opportunities
• A flexible, agile organisation
• A generous local government pension scheme
• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Culture of flexible working
• Technology to support agile working where role permits
• Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
• 24/7 access to Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Annelies Henshall, Principal Social Worker: Annelies.Henshall@oxfordshire.gov.uk or Sharon Peart, Team Manager for Family Group Conferencing: Sharon.Peart@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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