Family Practitioner SO1

Job Description

Job Title : Family Practitioner SO1
Job Category : Social Care & Health Non-Qualified
Location : Laurence House – Fifth Floor, Lewisham Council
Hours Per Week : 35.00
Start Date : Immediate start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:00
Salary: £21.45

Role: Family Practitioner
Location: Lewisham Council
Grade: SO1
Section: Prevention & Early Help

Hours: full time

About the Role

Lewisham Council is seeking a passionate and skilled Family Practitioner to join our Prevention & Early Help Team. In this vital role, you will work directly with children, young people, and families, providing focused support to improve outcomes, address challenges, reduce risks, and enable families to make and sustain positive changes.

You will build trusting relationships with families, extended networks, and communities to help alleviate social isolation, increase capacity, and create sustainable change. By working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary partners, you will ensure the best outcomes for children and families, preventing the need for statutory services and reducing risks of family breakdown.

Key Responsibilities

Provide intensive, family-centered 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.
Support families in accessing employment, education, and training opportunities.
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.

What We’re Looking For
Experience 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.
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.

Knowledge
An excellent working knowledge of relevant legislation including the Children and Families Act 2014, Children’s Act 1989 & 2004, London Safeguarding Children Procedures, ‘Working Together’; Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their families; Care Standards 2000, The Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2011, Equality Act 2010 (other country equivalents may apply)

Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary services in supporting families
A sound knowledge and application of Safeguarding procedures for children and vulnerable adults
A good knowledge and understanding of child development and the needs of children
Significant knowledge and understanding of issues affecting children/young people and their families, particularly the impact of social and economic disadvantage and multiple disadvantages on motivation, culture, confidence and progression through education employment and training.