At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a Family Centre, managing teams and delivering vital support services to families.
- Company: Milton Keynes City Council, dedicated to creating safer and healthier communities.
- Benefits: 28 days annual leave, excellent pension, family-friendly policies, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for training and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families in your community.
- Qualifications: NVQ level four in Early Education or equivalent experience required.
The predicted salary is between 32916 - 46000 £ per year.
Job Reference: mkc/TP/237/2106
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37
Location: Moorlands Family Centre
Closing Date: 19/07/2026
Job Category: Children's Centres
Service Area: Children's Services - Children's and Families
Package Description
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award‑winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low‑cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can access low‑cost leasing of electric and low‑emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
Job Introduction
We’re recruiting a Family Centre Head to lead one of our vital community‑based services at Moorlands Family Centre and make a lasting difference to children, young people and families across Milton Keynes. Family Centres are based at the heart of communities. A key part of Early Help, keeping children and young people safe early on and ensuring issues are dealt with swiftly so there is less need for formal intervention. Centres support families with key safeguarding issues and domestic abuse and provide a wide cost of living support service. They are also at the heart of the Government's Best Start to Life initiative and are moving over to becoming Best Start to Life Hubs, ensuring babies and children have the best start in life, through centre interventions and services. They also have a full inter‑agency offer, from registry offices, parenting through to zero to 19 partnership work and adult education, with attendances of over 50,000 per quarter, providing a much needed service to families and residents across the city.
In this role, you’ll lead a Family Centre, managing teams, strengthening partnerships and shaping services that support families to thrive. You’ll play a key role in delivering Early Help services, ensuring families receive the right support at the right time. We work together to make a positive difference for our communities and to support residents to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.
Site-Based role
This is a Site‑Based role, and you’ll be expected to work from the designated workplace. Interviews for this role will be held on 17th August 2026.
At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery of Early Help services within the Family Centre and wider community.
- Manage the day‑to‑day running of the centre, including budgets and resources.
- Lead and support colleagues to deliver high‑quality services for families.
- Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring all safeguarding responsibilities are met.
- Work with partners to provide joined‑up support for children, young people and families.
- Encourage engagement from families, including those less likely to access services.
Ideal Candidate
- NVQ level four in Early Education, childcare or a related qualification, or equivalent experience.
- Strong understanding of services that support families, including education, health and employment.
- Experience of leading teams and managing a varied workload.
- Confident communication and IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
- Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle.
To be successful in this role, you’ll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If we offer you the role, we’ll ask you to provide evidence of your driving licence and vehicle insurance, including cover for business use. We’re unable to confirm an appointment until these documents are received. As part of the pre‑employment checks, should you be offered the role, we’ll carry out an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, (unless you are currently registered with the DBS Update Service).
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round‑the‑clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live. We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference. We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
Family Centre Head - Moorlands Family Centre in Milton Keynes employer: MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL
Stanton School is an excellent employer that fosters a supportive and collaborative work environment, making it an ideal place for individuals who are passionate about education and community. With a focus on employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development and training, ensuring that our staff can thrive in their roles. Located within a vibrant school community, our Business Assistant position not only provides meaningful work but also the chance to contribute to the success of our students and the wider community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Centre Head - Moorlands Family Centre in Milton Keynes
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
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✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Centre Head - Moorlands Family Centre in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
