Family Network Meeting Facilitator - Kinship Zones

Job Title: Family Network Meeting Facilitator

• Kinship Zones Salary: £40,317 - £45,933 per annum (pro rata if part-time) Grade: E Contract Type: Fixed Term - 12 months Working Hours: 37 hours per week About the Department We are looking for a Family Network Meeting facilitator to join the Kinship Service as we expand our offer within Children’s Services. The postholder would join a team of three other facilitators, a finance Officer and a BSO as part of a new Family Network Support Team, reporting to the Service Manager. Thurrock has been chosen to enter a pilot as one of 7 “Kinship Zones” in the country, and as such is expanding the number of Family Network Meetings we support, with the aim to build networks around children and prevent them needing to enter Care. This post is one of two fixed-term contracts, but with the pilot running for another three years, we hope there is scope for a longer term of service.

About the Role

As a Family Network Meeting Facilitator, your main role will be: To help deliver and embed a high quality, effective Family Network Meetings model across Children’s Services. To ensure that family plans safeguard and support children and young people living within their family and kinship networks in accordance with their care / case plans.

To conduct Family Network Meetings and reviews including when directed by the Court. To advise and support other practitioners to set up and conduct Family Network Meetings and reviews where necessary. To work under the direction of the Service Manager on the continued development and implementation of the service and its policies and procedures.

Who We’re Looking For We welcome applicants who are: Passionate about early intervention and preventative family support to help prevent children from needing to enter care. Skilled and experienced in facilitating family meetings. Skilled at working with complex family relationships and diverse multi‑agency partners. Organised, have good administration and communication skills, are flexible and confident in managing meetings involving multiple stakeholders.

Qualified and/or trained in Family Group Conferencing with an understanding of the Family Group Conferencing model. Experienced and have knowledge of child protection issues, children and families legislation and an understanding of child development and attachment. Ability to manage conflict in the interests of the most vulnerable and to maintain a child-centred approach.

DBS Check: An Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List will be required for this post.

Benefits

of Working with Us At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including: Generous annual leave entitlement Local Government Pension Scheme Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable) Ongoing training and professional development Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support Staff discounts and local offers A supportive and inclusive working environment Important Dates Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 15th October 2026 Closing Date (Internal & External): 25th October 2026 Interview Date: To Be Confirmed Additional Information If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact: Phil Sanders - kinshipzone@thurrock.

gov.uk To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below: Download Job Profile (PDF Document) Safer Recruitment Application Requirements As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management from when leaving full-time education is required for all Safeguarding roles . Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application.

Please provide a full history with explanations of any gaps and ensure you also upload a copy of your full CV. If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications. Gaps in Employment Form Gaps in Employment Example