FGDM Coordinator

Job Title:  FGDM Coordinator
Ref number:    CF26-48
Division : Children and Family Services 
Location: East Ayrshire
Salary: Band C - £30,602 - £35,778
Post Type: Fixed Term (until March 2027) - Full Time (35 Hours)
Closing Date:  25 September 2026
Interview Date: 01 October 2026
 
A fantastic opportunity to join Children First

Children First’s ambition is for every child in Scotland to be safe, loved and well with their family. As a charity we offer emotional, practical, and financial support to help families put children first and campaign to uphold the rights of every child.
We are looking for a full time Family Group Decision Making coordinator to join our team in East Ayrshire. As an FGDM coordinator you will work with children and families of all ages and at different stages of risk and need. 

Family Group Decision Making is working with family groups in a strengths-based way to support them to create Family Plans, keeping children safe and at home within their family networks. 
This is an exciting opportunity for anyone interested in Family Group Decision Making, restorative and strengths-based approaches to working with families, and would like to extend their skill set. 
Children First are determined that the full incorporation of the UNCRC means that children will have their rights respected in all areas of their lives and will have a real say in the way they are supported. If you share this determination, we would love to hear from you.

What kind of people are we looking for?

• have experience of keeping children safe in their own families
• are fiercely passionate about children’s rights
• thinks it’s a privilege to work with and on behalf of children and families and,
• are kind and will bring their whole selves to the job: heart and mind

What kind of team member will you be?
Knowing our ambition for children, you will be someone who is:

• resilient, skilled and knowledgeable who wants to transform children’s lives
• determined to support children to stay safely with their own family
• big hearted and courageous
• able to build strong relationships and to manage the tricky conversations
• is compassionate and understanding of trauma
• a cool head and clear minded at times of pressure
• inspiring colleagues and teams to be even better
• an amazing ambassador for children and Children First

Above all else, the most important thing to us is that you are someone who will do the right thing for children and their families at every turn.

At Children First, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects communities across Scotland. Guided by our values, With Love, With Purpose, With Strength, we strive to create a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported to thrive. We actively work to remove barriers to inclusion and promote equity in all aspects of our work. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, especially those from marginalised communities, and are dedicated to ensuring a fair and supportive recruitment process.

Base
You will be based with our East Ayrshire FGDM team, co located in the HSCP, Kilmarnock/Cumnock.

What we offer:

• A workplace with values of with love, with purpose and with strength
• 40 days annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
• Pension scheme and wellbeing support
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Access to Westfield Health, giving colleagues and their families confidential counselling support, wellbeing resources, and access to health and lifestyle benefits to support physical and mental wellbeing.
• Blue Light card discount 
• A Fair Work accredited workplace 

 
Our Values:
 
Living our values, you will help create a workplace where our people can thrive, ensuring we deliver the best possible support to children and families. 
 
With love, we put children first.
With purpose, we transform lives together.
With strength, we do whatever it takes to protect Scotland’s children.


Further Information
Closing date: 25 September 2026
We welcome and encourage applications from potential colleagues from all backgrounds, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, belief, disability who share our values.  If you would like to discuss any aspect of the role before applying, please contact: rosemary.mccabe@childrenfirst.org.uk

Job Description 

Role Summary
 

• To lead the negotiation, mediation, and facilitation of the Family Group Decision making process, including responsibility for organising and managing meetings in the best interests of children.
• To provide a professional and high-quality support to babies, children, young people, and their families, and achieve desired outcomes from working with Children First.
• To promote the values and principles of Children First in providing support to babies, children, young people and their families, promoting their participation in the services they receive.

·       To support the Service Manager/Assistant Director to deliver the service in line with organisational strategy.
 
 
Key Result Areas
 
Relationships with Children, Young People and Families

• Coordinate timely, strengths-based, family meetings with the involvement of children, families, and key stakeholders.
• Facilitate, monitor, and review plans with children and families, ensuring a collaborative, family led approach.
• Offer advice, advocacy, and guidance to help children express their views and assert their rights.
• Regularly review progress with children, families, and stakeholders.

Operational Requirements
 

• Manage referrals in consultation with service managers and respond to agency contacts.
• Maintain accurate records in Microsoft Dynamics.
• Stay informed on research and policy developments regarding the Family Group Conference model and apply them to practice.
• Contribute to the implementation of national policies like *Changing Lives* and *Getting it Right*.
• Foster consistent internal communication and contribute to organisational sustainability.
• Engage in ongoing professional development, including mandatory training and post-qualifying education.
• Support activities that strengthen the Children First service and public profile.

 
Relationships with others
 

• Work with external agencies to enhance outcomes through a Family Group Decision making model.
• Share assessment findings sensitively with relevant parties, ensuring compliance with confidentiality and care standards.
• Contribute to national working groups and develop best practice standards.
• Represent Children First at local and national events, collaborating with social work, education, health, and third-sector agencies.
• Provide guidance, training, and consultation to colleagues and partner agency staff.
• Participate in team meetings, contribute to knowledge sharing, and promote best practices within the organisation.
• Mentor and supervise volunteers and students supporting their recruitment and development.

Person Specification 

Need to Have (Qualifications and Experience)	Need to Show (Skills)	Need to Know	Need to Be
Diploma in Social Work or a relevant professional qualification (e.g., Health, Education, Community Education) at SCQF level 9. Post-qualifying award in child protection, childcare, practice teaching, group work, family work, or counselling. (desirable) Experience in statutory settings and with children with additional support needs. Experience working alongside volunteers, and students. Experience working in restorative and trauma informed environments.	Direct experience working with children and young people in various settings, supporting families and networks collaboratively.  Experience conducting group and/or family work with children, young people and families in adversity. Experience attending meetings regarding children and young people. Experience helping children and young people share their views and participate in decisions affecting them.  Experience in multi-agency working, particularly in risk identification and management.	Knowledge and understanding of how children and young people develop, their needs and associated risk factors, and understanding vulnerability and promoting resilience. Child protection and care planning processes, systems, and agencies Relevant childcare legislation and guidance relating to children’s rights.  Awareness of national government policies and priorities and implications for practice Knowledge of theoretical framework for working therapeutically with children, young people and their families Knowledge of services and issues relevant to the needs of children and young people Knowledge of Statutory social work role and function	Flexible in approach to work Committed to and understand the principles of working with volunteers. Be able to drive and have access to a car. Committed to Children First approach and the relational nature of our work.  Confident and able to form effective and credible relationships with all levels of staff Aware of personal responsibility in relation to health and safety.