Parenting Worker x2 (FTC)

Swindon Borough Council; Cricklade; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Swindon Borough Council is seeking two Parenting Workers on a fixed-term contract (12 months) to support families with children aged 0–5, and up to 18 or 25 for additional needs, through the Best Start in Life offer.

You will collaborate with schools, early years settings, health professionals, voluntary sector partners and community organisations to help families access the right support at the right time and promote safe, healthy, thriving outcomes.

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification related to working with children, young people and families.
• Experience delivering support to parents and families on an individual basis.
• Experience facilitating groups and parenting programmes.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong recording and report-writing skills.
• Experience assessing needs and measuring outcomes.
• A strengths-based, solution-focused approach.
• Understanding safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
• Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends on a rotational basis.

Responsibilities

• Support families with children predominantly aged 0–5 (up to 18/25 for additional needs) through the Best Start programmes.
• Work collaboratively with schools, health professionals, voluntary sector partners and community organisations to access support.
• Help ensure children are safe, healthy and thriving within families and communities.
• Flexibly cover evenings and weekends as required.

Skills

Level 3 qualification (children &

Education

Level 3 qualification relevant to working with children, young people and families

Job description

Parenting Worker x2 (FTC)

Ref: 183984 Salary: £32,597 p.a., plus benefits 37 hours per week Fixed Term Contract / Secondment – 12 months

Swindon Borough Council are on an exciting journey to transform service delivery. We want our town to be the best it can be. Our ambitious vision is supported by realistic transformation programmes, with the people of Swindon at their heart. Because that’s who we’re doing it for, the communities and businesses that make our town great. As part of the Council, you’ll support a friendly local authority making decisions with real impact. It’s all for better public services, better processes and a better quality of life for everyone. Join us, and Swindon will be better with you.

Your next role

We’re looking for a passionate and skilled Parenting Worker to join our Best Start in Life parenting offer. As a Parenting Worker delivering on the Best Start Programme, you will support families with children predominantly aged 0-5 years, and potentially up to 18 years, or 25 years for young adults with additional needs. Working through our Best Start Family Hubs, Community Hubs and wider early support services, you’ll help parents build confidence, strengthen parenting capacity and create positive family relationships.

Working collaboratively with schools, early years settings, health professionals, voluntary sector partners and community organisations, you’ll help families access the right support at the right time and reduce the need for more intensive intervention. You will play a key role in ensuring children are safe, healthy and able to thrive within their families and communities.

The successful candidate will be required to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends on a rotational basis.

You must be fluent in the English language (as a requirement of Part 7 of the Immigration Act for the effective performance of a customer‑facing role).

You will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check.

About you

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about supporting families and believes in the power of early intervention. You will need to demonstrate the following in your application – please ensure you attach a supporting statement as well as a CV:

Essential

• Level 3 qualification relevant to working with children, young people and families.


• Experience delivering support to parents and families on an individual basis.


• Experience facilitating groups and parenting programmes.


• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.


• Strong recording and report‑writing skills.


• Experience assessing needs and measuring outcomes.


• A strengths‑based, solution‑focused approach.


• An understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.


• The ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends on a rotational basis.

Desirable

• Training in recognised evidence‑based parenting programmes.


• Experience working within Family Hubs, schools or community settings.


• Experience engaging families from diverse communities and backgrounds.


• Knowledge of restorative practice and whole‑family approaches. Most importantly, you’ll be someone who can build trust, motivate change and empower families to achieve their goals.

Your next package

Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details.

As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance.

For Swindon to thrive in the future, we need to lay the foundations now. It’s why our regeneration and transformation programmes are already underway. So, you’ll be joining us at an exciting time on our journey. We’ll look to you to share your knowledge, influence decisions and drive real, positive change. With your contributions, we’ll achieve our vision of a prosperous, revitalised Swindon together. And you’ll be proud to say it was made better with you.

Please see our Vision and Values page for more details and our new Swindon Plan.

Potential applicants are sometimes put off if they don’t meet 100% of the requirements. We think individual experience, skills and passion make all the difference, so if you meet the majority of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you.

Closing Date: 11 November 2026

Interview Date: 18 November 2026

For further information about the role, please contact Suzie Igoe, Programme Lead for Best Start in Life at [e-mail]

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early so early applications are encouraged.

Before applying for a secondment, it is essential for all employees to discuss their availability for release with their line manager before applying. Should permission not be forthcoming then they should refer the matter to their Head of Service.

As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from a diverse range of communities, and in particular disabled people and people from ethnic minorities. Read our statement of commitment to equality & inclusion.

If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your application, please email [e-mail]