Padding Example

padding.py

import pymel.core as pm

# Select joint chain.
# On selected joints.
# Create a local oriented control.
joint_system = pm.ls(selection=True, dag=True)

last_control = None

# Loop through selected joints
for current_joint in joint_system[0:-1]:
    # Rename control and delete history
    #ct_back_01_bind -> ct_back_01_icon
    icon_name = current_joint.replace('_bind', '_icon')
    pad_name = current_joint.replace('_bind', '_pad')
    group_name = current_joint.replace('_bind', '_group')
    

    # You issue stems here.  Control > Pad > group1
    # Because group1 was created last it will be on top of the system.
    # The code below focuses on the pad which is in the middle of the system.
    # Create a circle
    control_icon = pm.circle(name=icon_name, radius=.6, normal=[1, 0, 0])[0]
    
    # Create a pad
    pad = pm.group(name=pad_name)
    
    # Create Orient Group
    group1 = pm.group(name=group_name)  # This is your issue.
    
    # Snap group to target joint.
    # Snapping using parent constraint.
    # kenny = pm.parentConstraint(current_joint, pad)

    kenny = pm.parentConstraint(current_joint, group1)
    
    # Delete parent constraint.
    pm.delete(kenny)
    
    # Do you want to parent constraint or orient constraint?
    # Also you most likely do not need to maintainOffset because the system should have the same orientation as the system.
    # Parent Constraint Joint to Control
    pm.parentConstraint(control_icon, current_joint, mo=True, w=1)
    
    if last_control:
        # group1 is the top pad not pad.
        pm.parent(pad, last_control)
       
        
    last_control = control_icon