One of the many benefits of being a member of the national Family Group Conference Network is that you can advertise any jobs / vacancies which are coming up in your family group conference service.
If you would like to advertise a vacancy please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. including all relevant attachments and contact details.
Lifelong Links Co-ordinator
Grade: Grade 10 (£34,725 to £41,304 pa)
Directorate: Children and Adult Services
Location: Shared role between Southwark and Camden Children’s Services
Responsible to: Permanence Service in Southwark and in Camden
Closing date for applications: 18th August 2017
Shortlisting Date: 23rd August 2017
Interview Date: 30th August 2017
Job profile
This exciting and unique role is working in two London Local Authorities, Southwark and Camden who are the only two London authorities taking part in a 3 year independently evaluated trial of Lifelong Links, funded by the Department for Education Innovation Programme, initially in seven localities in England. The role will be to undertake Lifelong Links work with children in Southwark and Camden as well as promoting the approach within both authorities and allocating some cases to FGC co-ordinators who have undertaken training in Lifelong Links.
The aim of Lifelong Links is to create a lasting support network for children and young people in the care system for whom there is no plan for them to live within their family or be adopted. The Lifelong Links approach draws upon a combination of a family finding model, which originated in the United States and the family group conference model, which originated in New Zealand. The aim is to identify and engage relatives and other supportive adults, who are estranged from, or not yet known to, a child who is in the care system, especially those who are willing to make a lasting commitment to him/her.
The premise of the approach is valuing continuity and permanence of relationships (be it with relatives or others connected to the child e.g. former foster carers or teachers) that offer ongoing support, provide an explanation of historical events and reinforce identity and a sense of belonging for the young person. The Lifelong Links model includes tools and techniques for professionals to use to search for and find family members and other adults who care about the child. This network is then brought together in a family group conference (FGC) to make a life-long support plan with, and for, the young person, which should be integrated into their care and pathway plans.
The trial will be aimed at children and young people aged under 16 years who have entered care within the last three years.
You will be based in offices in Camden, located near Camden Town for half of the week and in the offices in Peckham in Southwark for the other half of the week. The candidate appointed to this role would be required to undertake two days of training on the Lifelong Links Model with the Family Rights Group on the 15th and 16th September 2017.
Additional information
All applications to be made via the Southwark Council Jobs Page: http://www.jobsatsouthwark.co.uk.
To view and download the Job Description and Person Specification for this role please click here.
For an informal discussion please contact either:
Aimee Ellenor (Interim Family Group Conference Lead, Southwark Council) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 0207 525 2875
Tim Fisher (FGC Service Manager, Camden Council) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 020 7974 1051