Social Services Jobs in Ipswich, United Kingdom (Now Hiring) — 54 open

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2DH
• Salary: £12.71 per hour (National Living Wage)
• Hours: 25 hours per week (adjustments will be considered)
• Contract: Fixed term for 12 weeks (parental returnship programme) x 4 posts

When you join as a Parental Returner, we will support your development from the start. We’ll 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 you’re motivated and passionate there’s 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 years, we are running the Parental Returnship programme for the fourth year, giving you the opportunity to join Suffolk County Council to work for 12 weeks. 

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

The scheme is 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 breaks. More 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 what’s right for our people, our partners and our communities - both now and for the future.

That’s 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 for individuals 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 Parental Returnship programme which will be a fantastic return to work opportunity and an excellent way to re-introduce yourself into the working world. 

Please take a look at our Parental Returnships brochure for more information 

All Parental Returnships will start on the 28 September, making this a 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.

Your role and responsibilities

• Roles will be based 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 possible, depending 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 (specifically due to parental responsibilities) 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 plus years
• be eligible to work in the UK.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile, see how to apply section below.  If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t 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 example, Microsoft 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. We’re 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 contact her by emailing [email protected] or calling 01473 296586

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 300 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template. 

1. What strengths, skills and experience do you have that make 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.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at [email protected] or 03456 014412.  You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 12 July 2026. 

Interview date: 29 July 2026. 

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).