Chief Officer

We are seeking an experienced Chief Executive to build on our history and unique strengths whilst at the same time taking us on a journey to the future where we develop services and partnerships that meet the ever-increasing demand for the services and programs that do, and can, deliver.

As experts in perinatal peer support, we believe that every parent deserves support, and every baby deserves the best possible start in life.

Our background:

Parents 1st UK is dedicated to enabling quality peer support to flourish during pregnancy, birth and beyond. The evidence is clear - effective and sustainable peer support nurtures the emotional wellbeing of mothers, fathers, partners, and babies, and builds strengths in communities. We work both locally and nationally to achieve this aim.

Our national work: Through an ‘open source’ online community platform, we provide all the resources necessary to set up a perinatal peer support initiative. Freely sharing all the tools that our local programme (Parents 1st Essex) uses in daily practice, from budget setting to volunteer training guides and impact tracking. Working with commissioners and providers, Parents 1st UK also provides consultancy and workshops to help build new perinatal peer support initiatives in communities.

Our local work: Parents 1st Essex currently operates in South and North Essex, delivering perinatal peer support to parents, through 1-1 or group support. Peer supporters engage and develop trusting relationships with parents during pregnancy, continue support through birth and the first few months afterwards.

Alongside this, Parents 1st UK also leads the Essex Peer to Parent Network, a peer support collaborative that aims to develop a hub of good practice across Essex. The Peer to Parent Network employs 4 Peer Support Link Workers who work alongside the local maternity units in Essex, helping parents to access peer support during pregnancy or anytime during the first year after birth.

All staff and volunteers are truly committed to our cause and are passionate about helping parents. 

The role:

As the CEO of Parents 1st UK, you will play a pivotal role in restructuring the organisation following a merger with an associated charity during 2023. Your leadership will be instrumental in fostering unity, creating operational resilience, and guiding the organisation towards sustained success in delivering vital services to parents, families and our partners.

The relationship between the CEO and the board of trustees is pivotal to the organisation's success. As CEO you will work closely with the board to drive our mission forward. More detailed information can be found in the recruitment pack.

 If you are an experienced Chief Executive who wants to make a difference and can demonstrate a passion for what we do, then we’d love to hear from you!

Closing date: Tuesday 21 May at 5pm

Interview date: Friday 7 June in Person (Venue to be Confirmed)  

Parents 1st UK embraces Equity, Diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all backgrounds and every community group.

This post is subject to a criminal record check with the Disclosure and Barring Service

Only full applications will be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.