Community Development Worker

Kent County Council; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent County Council is seeking a passionate Community Development Worker to enhance outreach and engagement at Family Hubs in Canterbury. The role involves building local networks, promoting public health campaigns, and facilitating community participation to ensure services meet local needs. Applicants should have experience in community engagement and be capable of effective communication with families.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible leave options

Hybrid working

Access to Kent Rewards

Professional development opportunities

28 days paid annual leave

Qualifications

• Experience in community engagement and partnership working.
• Skilled in planning and evaluating participation activities.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and SEND.

Responsibilities

• Build and strengthen local Family Hub networks.
• Encourage community engagement and co-design initiatives.
• Expand volunteer opportunities for parents and carers.

Skills

Community engagement

Partnership working

Volunteer coordination

Organisational skills

Communication

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Childcare, Youth Work, Health and Social Care

Job description

Kent County Council’s Family Hubs provide a welcoming and inclusive space for children, young people (0–19, or up to 25 with SEND), and their families.

With 56 hubs across Kent, we work in partnership with health, education, and community organisations to deliver support that is accessible, responsive, and community-led.

Family Hubs offer a blend of in-person, outreach, and digital services, including:

• Parenting support and activities
• Midwifery and health visiting
• Speech and language development programmes
• Online tools and apps for early years development
• Virtual and face-to-face groups tailored to local needs

The Role

We are seeking a passionate and proactive Community Development Worker to join the Canterbury Family Hub team, and work across our 5 Family Hubs in the Wincheap, Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable localities.

You will play a key role in expanding our outreach offer and strengthening community engagement across the District.

Key Responsibilities:

• Building and strengthening local Family Hub networks in collaboration with partners and community organisations.
• Encouraging community engagement and co-design initiatives to develop and inform the Family Hub services.
• -Expanding volunteer opportunities to empower parents, carers, and young people to lead and participate in peer-to-peer groups and other Family Hub activities.
• Promote and support Public Health campaigns and initiatives.
• Ensure services are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to local needs.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome applicants who are:

• Experienced in community engagement, partnership working, and volunteer coordination.
• Skilled in planning and evaluating participation activities.
• Possess a high level of organisational skills and have the ability to work effectively both as part of a team and self-directed.
• Able to communicate effectively with children and their families, and have the ability to plan, deliver and evaluate effective participation and engagement opportunities.
• Knowledgeable about safeguarding and SEND.
• Committed to KCC’s values: bravery, curiosity, compassion, collaboration, and accountability .

Essential Qualifications:

• Level 3 Diploma (or equivalent) in Childcare, Youth Work, Health and Social Care, or substantial relevant experience

What We Offer

• Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions
• Flexible leave options including carers leave, study leave, and career breaks
• Hybrid working with equipment provided for remote work
• Access to Kent Rewards: discounts on leisure, retail, and wellbeing services
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• 28 days paid annual leave per year (rising to 30 after 5 years service) + bank holidays + a concessionary day.

Additional Information

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

For further information, please contact:
Kelaiah Gayle

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.