Job Description

Principal Family Practitioner

Grade 8- 49056- 53172pa

Starting Well MASH and Family Intervention

The Principal Family Practitioner is responsible for managing, delivering and coordination of frontline


services from children centres and within the community as part of Early Help and Statutory services


offer; to safeguard and keep children, Young People and families together where possible and deliver


support to children in or at the edge of care. A key part of the role will be to promote and implement the


extensive Family Intervention offer of support, sharing knowledge across multi-agency networks enabling children and families to lead happy healthy lives.


Hold a reduced caseload of families and undertake family intervention activities as required.


Manage and oversee the senior family practitioners to support and ensure that the wider


duties are implemented in accordance to the practice standards set and


in line with legislation, and guidance.


To provide robust management oversight and supervision of the case work within


their designated teams and ensure performance development reviews are


completed within timescale.



Assist the Team Manager and Service Manager in delivering, planning and developing


services for vulnerable children, young people, and their families, identifying needs and


potential difficulties/challenges, escalating issues as appropriate.



Produce reports relating to team performance and activity and attend meetings/forums as


required.


Chair formal multi-disciplinary meetings, team meetings, panels, reviews and attend


conferences where required.


To support the Team Manager in early mediation and resolutions of complaints to prevent


escalation.


Responsible for the daily review and allocation of step down cases from MASH and


statutory services applying appropriate threshold application resulting in a seamless and


timely service provision to children and families.


Facilitate case consultations with MASH decision makers and statutory services on case


stepping down and up.


To deputise for the Team Manager as and when required.


To provide management cover in relation to building


Centre Hubs as and when required; reporting issues to facilities officer when required.


To work out of normal office hours, which will include evenings, weekends and early


mornings when required by their line manager: this will include providing out of hours cover


on a rota basis.


The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job profile are indicative of the role, however


they are not exhaustive and may be subject to change. In addition, you will be required to


undertake other reasonable duties as directed by your manager


Provide cover for other managers within the Early Help and Partnership Service at the


equivalent grade.


Ensure that all supervisions and Performance Development Reviews are completed within


timescale.


GCSE grade C or equivalent or above in English and Mathematics


Practice qualification in childcare, education, health or social care, e.g. NVQ 3 or equivalent


or relevant experience



Desirable experience of operational management of diverse team of Family Practitioner/Senior Practitioners/Co-ordinators. Experience of influencing service provision in partner agencies over which there is no direct line management relationship. Evidence of success in promoting and implementing equal opportunity policies and practices in respect of employment and service delivery Desirable experience of coaching, mentoring and / or supervision with evidence of positive outcomes within children's social care


Experience of working within a systemic model of practice, and using this


demonstrably within own practice including systemic supervision


Experience of setting clear priorities, objectives and standards and delivering to


challenging performance targets.


Experience of working in ways which empower and encourage participation of families.


Experience of preparing reports and assessments in respect of children this may include


presenting to Court.



Ability to guide and motivate the team effectively. This includes setting clear goals,


delegating tasks, and providing feedback and support to team.

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 29/12/25

however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early.


You will be notified if your application has been successful. Interview date to be confirmed.


Should you require any help or advice with your online application, please contact the Recruitment Helpdesk on 01708 432770

Additional Information

We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering .


The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.

*About Us

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