Development Worker: Lone Parent Positive Workplace Programme, Edinburgh - 30hrs

Last updated: 14/05/2025

Post: Development Worker (fixed term until 31st March 2026 with possibility of extension funding)

Hours: 30 hours per week

Location: Based at OPFS Edinburgh. Office based with travel in and around Central Belt as required.

Reports to: Head of Service: Support for Families and National Programmes

All roles at OPFS contribute to our mission of working with and for single parent families, providing support that enables them to achieve their potential and help create lasting solutions to the poverty and barriers facing many single parents and their children. Our core values of Justice, Equity, Trust, Collaboration and Compassion are at the heart of everything we do and underpin all aspects of our work.

The Development Worker for the Lone Parent Positive Workplaces Programme will provide support and guidance to lone parents in securing, maintaining and advancing employment opportunities. The role involves creating and inclusive, supportive work environment for lone parents, ensuring they have access to resources and networks that enable them to balance work and family responsibilities successfully. Working collaboratively as part of the national project to test and demonstrate opportunities and contribute to the wider objectives.

OPFS aims to be an equal opportunity and family friendly employer. OPFS has Investors In People Gold status.

This is a broad picture of the post at the time of preparation. It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties, and it is recognised that jobs change and evolve over time.

Key tasks and responsibilities

Support Lone Parents:

• Provide one-on-one support or single parents who are seeking employment or currently employed, helping them navigate challenges related to work-life balance and support them to sustain work.
• Connect lone parents to relevant resources, such as childcare options, financial advice, mental health support, and other support services.
• Assist with job search strategies, application processes, and interview preparation.

Lone Parent Positive Workplaces:

• Working collaboratively as part of the national project to support test & demonstration opportunities, and contribute to the wider objectives
• Work with employers to advocate for policies and practices that are family-friendly and inclusive of lone parents.
• Help employers develop or improve their workplace practices to ensure they support lone parents' needs, including flexible work hours and remote working opportunities.
• Work with OPFS colleagues to support parents to participate in creating positive workplaces for lone parents.

Develop and Deliver Training Programmes and Traineeships

• Development opportunities for paid traineeships with like-minded organisations to create an alternative supportive pathway into work for lone parent families.
• Organise workshops and training sessions for lone parents to build key skills such as CV writing, interview techniques, time management, work life balance and stress management.
• Deliver tailored workshops for employers about creating supportive, inclusive environments for lone parents in the workplace.

Employer Engagement:

• Engage with employers in areas we will operate to establish partnerships and ensure they understand the value of employing lone parents.
• Offer advice on inclusive recruitment practices and provide support to employers on how to foster a positive, supportive environment for lone parents.
• Develop opportunities with businesses and organisations to offer lone parent guaranteed interviews for advertised vacancies.

Monitoring Impact and Success:

• Regularly monitor the progress of lone parents within the programme to assess their development in areas such as skills acquisition, job readiness, and career progression. gather their feedback on the support provided, the challenges they face, and their overall experience within the programme.
• Collect and analyse data on the number of participants who successfully secure employment, the duration of their employment, and their job satisfaction levels.
• Regularly collect feedback from employers who have partnered with the programme to gain insight into their experience working with lone parents.
• Prepare regular reports on the programme's impact, including analysis of key performance indicators (KPIs) such as employment placement rates, job retention rates, and participant satisfaction.

Marketing and Promotion

• Working alongside the OPFS Comms Team Actively promote the Lone Parent Positive Workplace Programme to potential participants through outreach activities, social media, and community events.
• Raise awareness of the programme and its benefits in the community, working with relevant organisations to increase access to the programme.
• Carrying out any other relevant duties related to the above.

Personal specifications

Terms and conditions

Applications should be completed by Thursday 5th June with interviews commencing week beginning 16th June.

If you need to make an application in an alternative format on the basis of a disability or long-term health condition please email for guidance.