Job Description
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!
Lewisham Council is on an exciting journey of transformation through the Pathfinder program, and we're looking for passionate, proactive, and skilled Family Practitioners to be part of our Prevention & Early Help Team. In this vital role, you'll work directly with children, young people, and families, providing focused support to improve outcomes, address challenges, reduce risks, and empower families to make and sustain positive changes. You'll build trusting relationships with families, extended networks, and communities to help alleviate social isolation, increase capacity, and create sustainable change. By collaborating with multi‑disciplinary partners, you'll ensure the best outcomes for children and families, preventing the need for statutory services and reducing risks of family breakdown.
What’s in it for you?
- Impact: Be at the heart of Lewisham’s Families First Pathfinder strategy, making a tangible difference every day.
- Collaboration: Work with a wide range of professionals across health, education, police, and voluntary sectors.
- Development: Access training opportunities and contribute to shaping Lewisham’s Family Hub and neighbourhood‑based services.
- Innovation: Be part of a forward‑thinking team implementing the i‑Thrive framework and integrated support pathways.
- Flexibility: Enjoy a role that values creativity, autonomy, and professional growth.
What We’re Looking For
- A minimum of 2 years experience working as a Family Support Worker or Family Practitioner, working with families facing multiple challenges such as mental health issues, domestic abuse or housing difficulties.
- Knowledge of evidence‑based intervention strategies and the ability to implement them effectively through direct work.
- Strong skills in mediation, conflict resolution and direct work with families in crisis.
- Familiarity with Early Help Assessments and leading Teams Around the Family (TAF).
- Understanding of restorative and trauma‑informed practices.
- Commitment to professional development and staying informed on relevant policies and research.
- A strong understanding of safeguarding and early help thresholds.
- Experience working in multi‑agency environments.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive practice.
- If you’re ready to lead, influence and collaborate to improve outcomes for children and families, we want to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide intensive, family‑centred support to vulnerable children, young people and their families to improve outcomes.
- Undertake holistic assessments and develop action plans to address challenges such as parenting, mental health, domestic abuse and education.
- Facilitate decision‑making and ensure children, young people and families’ voices are heard in assessments and plans.
- Deliver evidence‑based interventions using restorative, trauma‑informed and systemic approaches.
- Maintain high standards of case recording and reporting in line with GDPR and service policies.
- Build strong links with local services and agencies to provide integrated support.
- Work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of families.
Location
The job is primarily based in one of the Lewisham Family Hubs, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
Special conditions
- The job is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Salary
£40,404 – £41,637 per annum (SO1).
Diversity
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme; further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply.
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