Public Health Senior Project Officer (Parenting Programmes Lead) in Chatham

Make a difference for children and families in Medway. We’re looking for an experienced, passionate and forward‑thinking Senior Public Health Project Officer to lead our Parenting Training Programmes across the Best Start in Life system. This is an exciting opportunity to shape high‑quality, evidence‑based support for parents and carers—particularly those of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This is a unique opportunity to contribute to our shared aim that every child grows up healthy, safe, supported, and ready to thrive, and that families receive the right help at the right time.

In this role, you will drive the design, coordination and delivery of parenting programmes in community settings, including the Family Hubs network, helping to strengthen family relationships, improve child wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities across Medway.

About the role

As our Parenting Training Programmes Lead, you will:

• Lead on the design, delivery and evaluation of evidence‑based parenting programmes (e.g., Incredible Years or Triple P).
• Ensure SEND‑inclusive and trauma‑informed approaches are embedded throughout programme content and delivery.
• Build the skills and confidence of early years practitioners, volunteers and wider partners across Medway.
• Coordinate and strengthen partnerships across public health, education, NHS, community and voluntary sectors.
• Lead an engagement plan to reach underserved parent groups, including fathers, teenage parents, sole parents and SEND families.
• Use data and insight to monitor outcomes, identify gaps and drive continuous improvement.
• Produce high‑quality reports for senior managers, commissioners and strategic boards.
• Line‑manage a Range 4 Project Officer, providing supervision, direction and support.
• Contribute to wider public health projects that reduce inequalities and align with local and national strategies.

This is a wide‑ranging role suited to someone who is confident, collaborative, creative and committed to improving outcomes for children and families.

About you

We are looking for someone who has:

• Experience in delivering Incredible Years, Triple P, or a similar parenting programme (training provided if needed).
• Experience working in a public health, education, early years or family support setting.
• A strong understanding of SEND pathways, EHCP processes and inclusive practice.
• Skills in project management, partnership working, data analysis and report writing.
• Experience supervising or leading others.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and engagement skills.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and reducing health inequalities.
• The ability to travel across Medway and work flexibly, including occasional evenings/weekends.

The successful post holder will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager, please e‑mail Sofie Wheeldon on sofie.wheeldon@medway.gov.uk.

Important Information

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria at level A which are essential for appointment to the role. Medway Council is not able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, so candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK. For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online. Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email. We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.