Parental Returnship

• Suffolk County Council Endeavour House Ipswich IP1 2DH - Hybrid
• 12.21 per hour (National Living Wage April 2025)
• 25 hours per week (adjustments will be considered)
• Fixed term for 12 weeks Parental Returnship programme

When you join as a Parental Returner we will support your development from the start. Well help you to play to your strengths diversify your skills and build an influential and impactful career. With a variety of career paths and learning opportunities to explore if youre motivated and passionate theres no limit to how far your ambition could take you.

Reimagine the possibilities.

• Are you looking for an opportunity to get back into work after taking an extended career break (over 2 years) due to parental responsibilities

Following the success of previous schemes we are running the returnship programme for the third year giving you the opportunity to joinSuffolk County Councilto workfor 12 weeks.

Our Parental Returnship programme is one of the commitments on our newgender pay gap action plan.

The schemeis open to people of any gender but will provide more of a benefit to women as research shows that women are more likely to have difficulties getting back into work after extended career broadly it supports our commitment to economic development in Suffolk. However we are particularly interested to hear from men who are looking to get back into work.

The parental returnship programme is a short fixed-term position during which you will develop your existing skills and experience. The programme also includes relevant training courses tailored to help integration into the workforce.

As a modern and effective council we understand the importance of being flexible and well-connected in the way that we work. We also focus on doing whats right for our people our partners and our communities - both now and for the future.

Thats why as one of the largest employers in Suffolk we believe in empowering everyone. Through career variety and collaborative working accessible career paths and professional development. The support and care we offer encourages and enables you to be the best you can be. To make a meaningful impact on the world around you. And to achieve a unique sense of pride in what you do why you do it and where.

Take a look at the video of Amanda a previous parental returner talking about her experience.

We are looking forindividuals who are comfortable working in a busy and evolving environment who can bring creativity and help shape our long-term sustainable solutions to the challenges we face.

In return we can offer a paid parentalreturnship programme which will be a fantastic return to work experience opportunity with a supporting technical skill programme during your 12 weeks of work. An excellent way to re-introduce yourself into the working world.

Please take a look at our Parental Returnships brochure for more information parental returnships will start on the 22 September making thisa perfect opportunity to get a feel for local government as a work-environment and get back into the rhythm of working life. We have deliberately chosen this date to fit in with school term times and there could be an opportunity to take paid holiday during the half term break. The hours are designed to fit around school hours enabling you to drop off and pick up children from school if necessary.

Suffolk County Council is one of thelocal government authorities responsible for maintaining countywide public sector services within Suffolk.

Our aim is to lead as exemplar employers offering opportunities individuals who are returning to a workplace after a significant break who are driven and want to make a difference to the people of Suffolk.

Your role and responsibilities

• roles will bebased at one of our modern and conveniently located offices with some hybrid working available
• we will be encouraging collaboration so office attendance will be promoted as much as possibledepending on your placement
• the parental returnship programme is specifically designed for returners to work who have been out of the workplace for an extended duration of over 2 years and want to jump back into working life. Therefore we are looking for you to apply your experience and prior knowledge to your tasks and projects while being supplemented with bespoke training and support.

You will need to

• be comfortable with learning new technologies and working in an office environment
• have been out of the workplace for 2 plusyears
• be eligible to work in the UK.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx)If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role even if you dont meet all the requirements please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

We will offer you:

• National Living Wage for your hours worked and you will be eligible to book annual leave which will accrue over the 12 weeks
• business travel expenses where eligible will be reimbursed
• flexible working options
• training to help develop your skills to fit the current working environment
• training on technical skills using up to date systems for exampleMicrosoft Suite
• an opportunity to revisit and enhance your skills and experience.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential possibility and the power of different ideas. Were always searching for ways to encourage respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Isla Bliss (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by emailing or calling 0

How to apply

Step 1 - Read theJob and Person Profile (docx).

Step 2 -Click Apply Now to start your online application

Step 3 -Upload asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 500 words per question). You should use theSupporting Statement template.

1. What strengths skills and experience do you have that makes you an ideal candidate for this scheme

2. Why are you interested in working for Suffolk County Council

3. What are you hoping to gain from this parental returnship

Step 4 -Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note:Without a supporting statement and CV your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage please contact our Recruitment Team by emailingor calling0.If you are invited to the next stage of selection you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date:11.30pm 30 June 2025.

Interview date: week commencing 14 July 2025.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Onsite