At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and coordinate parenting support services for families in Swindon.
- Company: Swindon Borough Council, dedicated to transforming local services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work-life balance, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Join us at an exciting time of transformation and growth in Swindon.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives and support families in your community.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualification or experience in parenting support and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40777 - 40777 £ per year.
Salary: £40,777 p.a. plus benefits
Please note: 3.3% national pay award increase to be applied in October.
37 hours per week
Fixed term contract – 12 months
Swindon Borough Council is on an exciting journey to transform service delivery. We want our town to be the best it can be. Our ambitious vision in the Swindon Plan 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 borough 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.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in developing and coordinating Swindon's parenting offer as part of our ambitious Best Start in Life programme. As our Best Start Parenting Officer, you will work across the partnership landscape to ensure parenting support for families is accessible, equitable, evidence-based and responsive to local needs. Your primary focus will be on coordinating services, building strong relationships with partners, identifying gaps in provision and ensuring families can access the right support at the right time.
About you
- Coordinate parenting support services across Swindon, particularly for families with children aged 0-5.
- Map and review parenting provision, identifying gaps, duplication and opportunities for improvement.
- Build strong partnerships across statutory, community and voluntary sector organisations.
- Improve referral pathways and family access to support.
- Lead on performance monitoring, quality assurance and service improvement activity.
- Use data, feedback and local intelligence to improve reach, accessibility and outcomes.
- Line manage and support four Family and Parenting Workers.
- Promote strengths-based, inclusive and relationship-focused practice.
- Support the delivery and sustainability of evidence-based parenting programmes.
- Contribute to the Best Start in Life programme and wider early help priorities.
We're looking for an enthusiastic, collaborative and organised professional who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and families.
You will be required to have the following skills and experience:
- A relevant Level 3 qualification or above, or substantial relevant experience in parenting support, family support, social care, youth work, housing or a related field.
- Experience of working directly with children, parents and families.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding and child development.
- Experience of partnership working across services and organisations.
- Experience of leadership, supervision or line management.
- The ability to build positive relationships and engage families from diverse communities.
- Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
Desirable
- Accreditation or qualification in evidence-based parenting programmes such as PEEP, Family Links, Solihull Approach, Freedom Programme, RESPECT RYPP or similar.
- Experience of Family Hubs, early help or community-based family support services.
- Experience of service coordination, quality assurance or programme development.
The role requires travel across the borough and occasional evening or weekend working within contractual hours. Enhanced DBS check required. 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").
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, re-vitalised 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.
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.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Suzie Igoe, Programme Lead for the Best Start in Life on Sigoe@swindon.gov.uk
If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your application, please email resourcing@swindon.gov.uk
Closing date: 16 October 2026
Interview date: 29 October 2026
Best Start in Life Parenting Officer in Swindon employer: Swindon Borough Council
Swindon Borough Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to transforming service delivery for the community. With a strong focus on employee growth and a supportive work culture, you will have the opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of residents while enjoying a range of benefits. Join us in our mission to create a better quality of life for everyone in Swindon, where your contributions are valued and celebrated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Best Start in Life Parenting Officer in Swindon
✨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 Swindon Borough 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 Swindon Borough 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 Swindon Borough 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 Swindon Borough 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 Best Start in Life Parenting Officer in Swindon
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 Swindon Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Swindon Borough 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 Swindon Borough 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.
