Families First Programme Practice Lead

Job Introduction

Job title: Families First Programme Practice Lead

A bit about us:

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do. 

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

Our Practice Model – “Our City, Our Children, Together” – was chosen by colleagues, parents and carers, children, and young people to reflect our collective commitment to working collaboratively, it is more than just a practice model, it is a shared vision. Every part of this model has been co-produced with the people who access and deliver our services. It represents our values, our relationships, and our belief that, by working together, we can create the best outcomes for children, young people, and their networks. This is a model we can be proud of and one that truly belongs to all of us.

The role:

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Children’s Workforce Academy for an enthusiastic and experienced registered children’s social worker to join an evolving service to support the implementation across Children and Young People’s Service of the Families First Partnership programme. 

The Families First Partnership Programme is the biggest social care reform for over thirty years so it is vital that we create a practice system with sustainability and resilience; the post holder will work closely with children, young people and their networks, our children and young people’s workforce and our partners in supporting the creation of a practice system which will deliver sustainable positive outcome for families.  

• As the Families First Programme Practice Lead you will support the service to implement the key aspects of the Families First Partnership across our Family Help and Child Protection practice systems with an emphasis on supporting and developing effective systems, processes and workforce opportunitiesAs the Families First Programme Practice Lead you will deliver robust and creative learning programme for our social work and alternatively qualified workforce aligned to the Families First Partnership Programme
• As the Families First Programme Practice Lead you will develop and support the implementation of the Families First Partnership Operational Plan with emphasis on systems, processes, workforce and development

• As the Families First Programme Practice Lead you will act as a visible advocate for excellent, relationship-based practice and advocate our Model of Practice ‘Our City, Our Children, Together’

• As the Families First Programme Practice Lead you will support our Children’s Workforce Academy faculties and implement our Children and Young People’s Workforce Strategy, ensuring every practitioner is equipped and empowered to deliver impact across out practice system within the new Targeted Operating Model

• As the Families First Programme Practice Lead you will contribute to quality assurance and practice improvement activity through coaching, mentoring and reflective supervision/practice to support practitioners, at all levels, develop confidence in a change in delivery of services

• You’ll be confident, motivated and collaborative, with a drive to inspire others and improve outcomes for children and young people 

If you’ve mentored and supported colleagues before and thrive on creating positive, meaningful change, then we want to hear from you!

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service and up to date registration with Social Work England as a qualified Social Worker.

This role is fixed term to implement and embed the changes as identified in the Families First Partnership Programme and will end 30th November 2028.

Our offer to you:

• At least 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays rising to 32 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working- a “Flexibility First” approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme
• Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes 
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave  
• Discounted Gym Memberships 
• Employee Volunteering Scheme 
• Medicash 

Next steps:
Closing date: Midnight on Thursday 16th July 2026
Shortlisting date: Friday 17th July 2026
Interview date: Wednesday 29th July and Thursday 30th July 2026
Interview type: Face to Face 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Once the role has closed, you will not be able to submit an application, and we are unable to reopen the vacancy for you to complete it. We strongly recommend submitting your application well in advance of the closing date to avoid disappointment.

If you would like any further information or an informal discussion, please contact Harriet Cadman via Harriet.Cadman@liverpool.gov.uk

Watch our recruitment video and see what life is like working at Liverpool City Council.

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. 

If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at recruitment@liverpool.gov.uk.

Although we advertise on Jobs Go Public, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.  Please ensure you complete your full profile, work and education history in Tribepad.

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.

This is not legal advice, and we advise you to seek your own independent legal advice tailored to your own personal circumstances.