At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and children through early years programmes and community outreach.
- Company: Milton Keynes City Council, dedicated to making a difference in local communities.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, excellent pension, health cash plan, and discounts on entertainment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team with great training and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives and strengthen family relationships.
- Qualifications: Early education qualification and five GCSEs including English and Maths.
The predicted salary is between 30949 - 37827 £ per year.
The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Rainbow Family Centre and Community Outreach.
Closing Date: 30/08/2026
Job Category: Children's Centres
Service Area: Children's Services- Social Work - Family Support Teams
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.
- 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.
Roles are either ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. Site based roles are mainly based at the workplace, with the option to work from home for up to two days a week, depending on service needs. Home based roles are mainly based at home, with the expectation of attending the workplace up to one day a week. The working arrangement for each role is set by the manager, based on service requirements.
Job Introduction
We’re recruiting a Practitioner to join our dedicated Children and Families service at Rainbows Family Centre. Rainbows Family Centre is soon to become a Best Start Family Hub, serving the communities of Bradville, New Bradwell, Wolverton and the surrounding area. The centre is based in Bradville, an area of social deprivation where many families may need extra support. This full-time, face-to-face role will help improve life chances for children and their families through early years support, Early Help and our wider cost of living offer. You’ll work across two sites, including Wolverton, which has been identified as an area where children need more support to achieve a Good Level of Development. The role matters because strong early support can help children get ready for school, help parents feel more confident and strengthen family relationships. You’ll be part of a team that works directly with children, families, colleagues and partners to make a real difference in local communities. At Milton Keynes City Council, we’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative, and these values will shape how you support families every day.
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 7th September 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
- Plan and deliver Stay and Play, universal and targeted sessions that support the Early Years Foundation Stage and school readiness.
- Provide one‑to‑one and outreach support to parents of children under five, helping them understand child development and build confidence in their parenting role.
- Contribute to outreach work that engages families who find it difficult to access services, including those in new estates and areas of disadvantage.
- Work as part of a multi‑agency Early Help approach, completing assessments and care plans where appropriate and acting as a lead professional when required.
- Support safeguarding practice and respond appropriately to families experiencing domestic abuse or other risks.
- Work flexibly across centres that operate fifty‑two weeks of the year, from early to late, including youth and community provision.
Ideal Candidate
- Early education or childcare-related qualification, with a good understanding of child development.
- Five GCSE passes A-C or equivalent, including English and Maths.
- Enjoys working directly with families and communities, with the ability to build trusted relationships quickly.
- Knowledge of early years, safeguarding, and the impact of adversity on children and families.
- Able to manage a varied workload across sessions, outreach and direct family work.
- Works in line with our values by being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
- Comfortable using digital systems to record work clearly and accurately.
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.
Practitioner - Family Centres 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 Practitioner - Family Centres
✨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
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨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 Practitioner - Family Centres
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.
