Location: Whaddon Youth Centre, Dart Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Supporting all services in the West Midlands (including Shropshire and Birmingham)

When completing your personal statement please outline your specific skills, knowledge and experience that relates to those listed in the recruitment pack.

The Children’s Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We run local services that support children when they are at their most vulnerable and in desperate need of help. We’re there for children, every step of the way.

This role sits within our Youth Practice team, across Birmingham. The focus of the role is to develop a culture of youth voice & participation within services. Also to lead a programme of youth voice and participation work with children and young people in order that their views and ideas inform the work of services and The Children’s Society.

We are currently looking for an individual that is passionate and energetic and committed to the values of youth voice and participation to join our dynamic, ambitious team.

A key part of this role will be your ability to

develop relationships with young people and support them to have their voices heard.
lead and develop groups.
respond and adapt to new ways to amplifying young people’s voices and addressing the barriers to those least likely to engage.
have a clear commitment to intersectional approaches when working with young people and working with young people who experience multiple systemic oppressions.
commit to continuous learning to enhance own practice and keep abreast of innovative practice.
use your communication & influencing skills, both written and verbal to lead and inspire others and the ability to engage with young people.
keep clear records of work and complete monitoring and evaluations.

KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

In order to be successful in this role, you must have:

A minimum of 2 years experience in youth work
Experience of facilitating participation activities with young people on a one-to-one basis and in group work settings.
Experience of supporting young people who are dealing with complex and sensitive needs and providing pastoral support.
Experience of working independently and as part of a team in the field of youth voice and participation.
Experience of being a champion of youth voice and participation.
Experience of developing inclusive practice.

Other requirements for the role:

Regular evening working which are both face to face and virtual engagement.
Regular weekend working which is on average once a month.
Regular travel across the region to work with young people.

The Children’s Society runs over 100 local services that help thousands of young people who desperately need our support. We campaign to get laws and policies changed to make children’s lives happier and safer.

Every day we’re changing the lives of children in this country for the better – and with your help, tomorrow we can be there for even more.

Benefits

Enhanced Annual Leave 28 days-length of service extra 2 after 2, 5 and 7 goes up to 36 days.

Free eye test-claim back via my finance-take form to dentist-eye test form can also claim for glasses.

Pension-match contribution up to 8% can opt out, have to auto enrolled every 2 years do get money refunded if opt out you contribute 4% and will be matched to 8%

Life assurance – death in service, 4x salary gets paid to nominated person.

Cycle to work 39% off bike cost can be spread across the year.

770 retailers discounts offered with YouStar App.

The Children’s Society is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services.

Therefore, candidates applying for work in our Children and Young People’s Directorate will be required to complete an “Employment history template” document prior to interview. The fully completed document should be uploaded by the candidate alongside uploading your CV.

Closing date midnight 7th May 2025.

Interviews will be held on the 30th May 2025.

Interviews will be in two stages:

Stage 1 Staff interview panel and Stage 2 Young People’s panel both taking place on the same day.

Interviews will be held at Whaddon Youth Centre, Cheltenham.

The Children's Society

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Youth Voice and Participation Worker