Family Practitioner

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC623173
Salary Range: £33,178 - £36,369 per annum 
Work Location: Havant Plaza, Havant (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37 
Contract Type: Permanent 
Closing Date: 6 April 2026

The Role:

As a Family Practitioner in our Missing Team, part of Hampshire Children’s Services’ dedicated Willow Team, you’ll play a key role in supporting children who go missing by delivering meaningful, trauma‑informed Missing and Return Conversations. This is a vital part of our safeguarding response and an opportunity to make a tangible difference to young people who may be at risk of exploitation or finding it hard to engage with services.

Working at the heart of a multi‑agency, forward‑thinking environment, you’ll help track and respond to missing episodes, build trust with vulnerable young people, and identify early warning signs of harm. Your insight will contribute to county‑wide decision‑making and ensure that children receive timely, effective interventions that improve their safety and wellbeing.

What you’ll do:

• Monitor and analyse daily missing data to support Hampshire’s county-wide safeguarding response.
• Lead trauma-informed, child-centred Return Conversations and manage the full missing episode process from initial contact to resolution.
• Provide expert advice to practitioners and contribute to strategic planning and disruption efforts alongside MET Police teams.
• Maintain accurate records and use your knowledge of exploitation, grooming, peer risk, and online safety to inform practice and service improvement.

What we’re looking for:

• Strong understanding of the risks linked to missing episodes, including trafficking, exploitation, and county lines.
• Knowledge of key safeguarding areas such as healthy peer relationships, grooming, online safety, and sexual health.
• Confident working in multi-agency settings, offering expert advice and consultancy to professionals.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a commitment to safeguarding, equality, and continuous learning.
• Able to demonstrate empathy, patience, and compassion, with sound IT skills and attention to detail in record-keeping.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Family Practitioner, team and our values. The section ‘About you’ explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

Why join us?

• Join a supportive team that values collaboration and professional development.
• Flexible working options, including a 9-day fortnight and hybrid working.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.  
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here.

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date. 

Important: You must already have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Other job titles you may be searching for: Family Support Worker, Family Support Practitioner, Children’s Services Practitioner, Early Help Practitioner, Family Intervention Worker, Case Worker.

Travel Requirements:

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.   

Additional Information:

Family Practitioner Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

For general enquiries, please contact care.careers@hants.gov.uk
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Neil Connolly, Team Manager on Neil.Connolly@hants.gov.uk