Conference Team Manager

The Families First Partnership Programme (FFPP) is a national programme and a central part of the government's wider children's social care reform agenda, as per the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026. It aims to make the system work better for everyone involved - families, practitioners and leaders - by supporting earlier and more effective intervention and stronger partnership working. A key element of the programme is the commitment to embedding family-led planning across all aspects of Family Help. For us here in Surrey this includes expanding access to Family Group Conferencing, ensuring more families can benefit from this approach at the right time. This new Family Group Conference Team Manager role will play a vital part in supporting the growth and delivery of Surrey's Family Group Conferencing service, helping to ensure children and families receive the support they need, when they need it, helping to improve outcomes About The Role This pivotal role empowers families to be at the heart of decision-making about their children. You will work alongside practitioners in Early Help and Children's Social Care to ensure the views, wishes, and feelings of children, young people, and their families are fully considered and their voices heard. This is a highly varied role, which has genuine social impact. As our Family Group Conference Team Manager, you will be responsible for the operational delivery, strategic development, and continuous improvement of the FGC service; embedding restorative practices and aligning with national standards and Surrey's Family Safeguarding Model. In this role you will lead FGC practice development and embed strengths-based motivational practice principles and values across social work teams and social care services, including Early Help. This will be done through collaborative working and training to ensure that children and young people's needs are being met, and vulnerable children and young people are protected from harm. You will manage a new team of twelve staff in total who facilitate Family Group decision making for families involved with Surrey Children's Services. This is an opportunity for the right individual to join the service and help build and shape the team from the very start as we expand our FGC offer. In all that you do, you will ensure a culture where children and families are worked with respectfully, with a recognition of their diverse experiences and backgrounds, and in a spirit of partnership that encourages families to develop their own solutions and to receive the support they need to address their complex issues. You will also have opportunities to run training sessions and practice forums. In this role, family-led meetings are tailored to family needs, so we're looking for someone with a genuine passion for empowering families in decision-making., 2. Please tell us about your relevant professional background and experience of working directly with children, young people and families, particularly during periods of distress, conflict, or crisis. In your response, please include how your qualifications, knowledge and practice experience make you suitable for this role. 3. Please tell us about your experience of convening or facilitating Family Group Conferences or similar family-led meetings. How have you supported families to identify their strengths, make safe plans, and improve outcomes for children and young people? 4. This role will contribute to the development and growth of the Family Group Conference service. Please describe a time when you helped improve practice, shape a service, or support positive change. How did you work with others, manage challenges, and ensure the change benefited children, families, or the wider service.

• Professional social work qualification, CQSW or Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), or other relevant qualification recognised by the Social Work England or equivalent alternative qualifications such as NVQ Level 4 or above in relevant field such a Social Work, Teaching, Mediation, Youth Work, etc
• Experience of direct work with children and families during times of distress and conflict
• Proven experience convening FGCs in various settings
• Broad knowledge of safeguarding, children in care, and relevant legislation
• Willingness to develop skills in Motivational Interviewing, partnership working, and high-quality supervision
• Track record of improving outcomes for children and young people
• Ability to work flexibly and travel extensively across Surrey
An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role

The starting salary for this permanent, full-time position is £55,486 per annum based on a 36 hour working week. We are excited to be hiring a new Family Group Conference Team Manager to join our fantastic expanding Family Group Conference (FGC) service supporting children and families across the East of Surrey. We support hybrid and flexible working with the right balance of coming together in person and working from home, however as this is a county wide role, travel around the county is required. Our Offer to You
• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents