The Participation team works in partnership with Children and young people in care, care leavers and those subject to Child in Need (CiN) and Child Protection Plan's (CP) plans. This involves running the CHICC and a wide range of projects, events and activities
You will be ensuring events and activities are arranged for children young people open to social workers across the service. The aim is to influence services provided by HCC and others (eg health, housing, education) for the better, using the expertise of those who have direct experience of being in care or experience of the service. The team also consults directly with children and young people in particular circumstances to ensure their views are heard in their statutory reviews meeting including CP and CiN meetings.
Talking with children and young people about their individual care plans, prioritising young people with disabilities, younger children, those deemed 'hard to reach', those placed out of county, young people whose care plan has recently changed. Undertake observations of nonverbal children and young people and observations in specific settings as required to inform statutory reviews.
Meeting with groups of children and young people at CHICC events and activities, to gather views about themes to influence service development. Use a range of appropriate consultation methods taking into account different ages, needs and abilities to engage a wide range of children and young people open to CS. This includes consulting with the social workers working with children and young people across the service and making telephone phone calls daily.
Building a community of young people ensuring CHICC reflects the diversity of young people in care and care leavers (e.g. in terms of age, disability, ethnicity, residential, foster, 'hard to reach' etc). Run the CHICC Deputies ensuring they have an annual action plan. Help to ensure there are constantly new volunteers becoming involved. Run other CHICC groups as needs arise. Run a series of CHICC events and activities throughout the year.
Communication and building relationships. Develop and maintain young people friendly communication tools including multimedia, survey tools, documentary and film making. Monthly E Bulletins updates to all relevant staff to keep them informed of participation work for children and young people enabling them to promote with young people. Attend regional and national events to share good practice.
Do you have experience of working with Children, Young People and Families in a group setting providing high quality services to children, young people and their families.
Experience of successfully managing project meeting deadlines using your communication and leadership skills. Good written, IT and organisational skills.
Be able to demonstrable commitment to diversity and inclusion when working with and obtaining the views of children and families.
Have experience of working within a statutory setting with knowledge of the legislation that underpins safeguarding.
If you would like to apply for this role, please use the link below to visit HCC website and apply online.