Parenting Practitioner

Action for Children; Ferndown; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading children's charity is seeking a Parenting Practitioner to provide evidence-based parenting support to families in Dorset. This part-time role (15 hours per week) is home-based, requiring travel to deliver training sessions across the area. Candidates must have NVQ Level 3 in Child Care and experience working with children and families. The role aims to improve outcomes for children with conduct issues, contributing to their development and well-being. Competitive salary offered with various benefits.

Benefits

29 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Professional qualifications and training opportunities

Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages

Pension with up to 7% employer contribution

Staff discount portal with national retailers

Qualifications

• Essential NVQ Level 3 in Child Care/Development.
• Experience working with children, young people, and families.
• Local residency in Dorset is essential.

Responsibilities

• Support parents to improve children's long-term prognosis.
• Provide high-quality service to families.
• Deliver evidence-based parenting programmes.

Skills

Supporting families to manage children's behavior

Experience with children and families

Working with multi-agencies

Delivering group sessions

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Child Care/Development

Job description

Role: Parenting Practitioner

Salary: £26,500 per annum (pro rata) – depending on experience and qualifications

Location: Dorset, primarily covering North/West Dorset

Contract/Hours: Part‑time – 15 hours a week, Fixed Term Contract for 12 months

Benefits

• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave
• Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
• Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover
• Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers discounts

Vulnerable children in the UK need your help

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year, we helped more than 687,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why join Action for Children?

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.

A bit about the role

Dorset Parent Training & Education offer evidence‑based parenting programmes to families needing additional help to manage their children's behaviour. We work with parents/carers across the county to ensure that children and young people have the love, support, and opportunity they need to reach their potential.

The role is home‑based with travel required to an office in Ferndown, outreach hubs and families to deliver training sessions across Dorset (mileage and time from your home in Dorset is recompensed). The role is for 15 hours a week which can be flexible but ideally would be over 2 or 3 days and to include Mondays.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

• Supporting parents to improve the poor long‑term prognosis for children with, or at risk of conduct problems
• Providing a high‑quality service to children, young people, and their families
• Role‑modeling good practice
• Promoting and delivering evidence‑based parenting programmes
• Offering a multi‑agency approach

Let's talk about you

• NVQ Level 3 in Child Care/Development (essential)
• Experience of working alongside or liaising with multi‑agencies
• Experience of working with children, young people, and families
• Experience of supporting families to manage their children's behaviour by using evidence‑based parenting strategies
• Experience of delivering group sessions
• It is essential that you live locally – within Dorset
• Also essential that you have access to your own vehicle (The job requires the ability to travel according to the needs of the job, with reasonable adjustments, if required, according to the Equality Act)

Good to know

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Application Process

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration.

Talent Pool

We know talent when we see it. But sometimes we find the right person but not for the right job. We'd love to keep your details for when the right job comes up. Let us know if you'd rather we didn't.

Diversity, equality and inclusion

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children. Male staff are under-represented within our Children Service roles. We would like to encourage more male applicants for our Children Service roles.

Don't meet every single requirement?

If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we'd love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role within the Action for Children family.

Want to know more about Action for Children?

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