Job Description

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

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council