Job Introduction
From 1 December 2025, our refreshed Pay and Reward package comes into effect, bringing a new approach to how we recognise and reward roles across the Council. This means the salary for this role will be changing. The pay range for this role will be £47,181 to £53,460 (pro rata for part time colleagues) from 1 December 2025.
You can also find out more about the new terms and conditions that we are introducing on our careers site on, 'More than just a job' brochure ]
Professional Development Officer – Families First Implementation
Band 11 (£45,718 – £51,802) | Fixed Term – 12 months | Workforce Development Team, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
Are you passionate about making a real difference to the lives of children and families? Do you have a strong background in social work, learning and development, and service transformation? If so, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity to join our Workforce Development Team as a Professional Development Officer, leading the implementation of the Families First Programme (FFP) across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Role Purpose
The purpose of this role is to lead, design, and deliver the learning and development strategy for the Families First Programme pilot and its wider implementation. You will play a pivotal part in supporting the transformation of social care practice, ensuring that practitioners are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and reflective practice required for effective service delivery and positive outcomes for children and families. This role is central to improving the quality of life for the people of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole by delivering and evaluating learning and development activities that meet statutory duties, best practice targets, and practitioner standards as set by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department of Education.
Main Responsibilities
The successful candidate will lead a learning needs analysis for the Families First Programme (FFP) pilot and locality teams, designing and delivering tailored training on statutory frameworks, safeguarding, the Mosaic system, and risk management through blended learning approaches. They will be responsible for sourcing and evaluating external training providers to ensure that all commissioned training aligns with service needs and current legislation.
To support practitioner development and well-being, the role involves facilitating peer learning, reflective supervision, and induction sessions. The candidate will collaborate closely with service leads, the Academy, project teams, and external partners to ensure that training is robust, responsive, and integrated with broader strategic objectives.
As the programme scales, the postholder will help transition training into business-as-usual, ensuring continuity and effective knowledge transfer. They will also contribute to the development of family decision-making processes, including Family Group Decision Making and Mosaic pathways.
Participation in FFP steering and governance groups is expected, where the candidate will provide subject matter expertise. Additionally, they will support the wider Workforce Development Team by contributing to curriculum delivery, including masterclasses, ad hoc training, and induction programmes.
The role includes engaging in planning and quality assurance activities, and sharing insights from the FFP to enhance workforce development. Finally, the candidate will develop and deliver induction and support materials for new Family Help workers, and prepare reports and contribute to the FFP project delivery group on workforce development matters.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will hold a degree in Social Work or an equivalent professional qualification such as CSS, CQSW, or DipSW, and must be registered with Social Work England. They will be a qualified Practice Educator or Practice Teacher with significant post-qualifying experience as a Social Worker, gained within statutory and/or family support settings.
They will have demonstrable experience in developing, delivering, and evaluating training interventions within complex operational environments. A strong understanding of Professional Standards and the broader social care agenda is essential, alongside knowledge of learning theory, blended learning approaches, and reflective practice.
The candidate should be skilled in stakeholder consultation and engagement, able to facilitate group learning, and comfortable managing ambiguity and change. Strong organisational, project management, and communication skills are required, as well as a high level of resilience, attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
A commitment to learning and development, training delivery, and programme evaluation is vital. The candidate must possess excellent problem-solving skills and be capable of influencing change within an organisation. They should demonstrate excellent communication and collaboration abilities, and be able to work both independently and as part of a team.
An awareness of current trends and best practices in learning and development is expected, along with a current CPD record and familiarity with relevant and priority practice themes and issues. A DBS check will be required, and the candidate must be able to travel between sites and work remotely as needed.
For an informal conversation or more details, please contact Leanne Morgan (Principal Social Worker) at leanne.morgan@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or at melissa.tettenborn@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
About BCP Council
BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.
Our Benefits
A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council
At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people.
From 1 December 2025, we’re proud to introduce a new Pay and Reward package, shaped through close collaboration with our trade union partners. This marks a significant step forward in how we recognise and reward our colleagues, reflecting our commitment to creating a modern, inclusive, and supportive workplace.
Our enhanced offer includes fair and transparent pay, modernised terms and conditions, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to attract and retain talented individuals. Whether it’s flexible working, wellbeing support, or opportunities for career progression, our new approach puts people first- we’re excited to welcome new colleagues into a Council that’s evolving to meet the needs of both our workforce and our communities.
Check out our attractive enhanced benefits and find out more about the new Pay and Reward package at (Employee benefits | Working for BCP link to careers page)
Be the difference - Join an organisation that values you
More About us | Working for BCP
DBS
BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Job Description or Role Profile for more details.
Attached documents
