The starting salary for this full-time, permanent position is £35,730 per annum based on working 36 hours per week.
We are excited to be hiring a new Participation Lead to join our fantastic User Voice and Participation (UVP) Team team. The team is based in Woking, but the role will require you to travel across the county to deliver services.
Rewards and Benefits
- 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
- 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About the Team
You will be part of our User Voice and Participation (UVP) Team who work to empower children and young people to be involved in decision making about their lives and services that affect them. We work in collaboration with colleagues to improve outcomes for children, young people, and those in their network. We not only listen to, but work with children and young people to effect change.
The UVP Team runs 'Surrey Youth Voice' which includes various participation groups and projects for children and young people that enable them to have their voices heard, builds their confidence and skills, whilst having fun and encouraging peer support. The aim of the team is to build trust with children and young people who use Surrey services, so they feel able to share with us their experiences; what is and isn't working well. Our role is to ensure leadership, colleagues, teams and partners make changes to improve children and young people's experiences.
Our participation groups and projects support looked after children, care leavers, children and young people who use emotional wellbeing and mental health services and children and young people with additional needs and disabilities. We also support our future politicians through Surrey Youth Cabinet.
About The Role
We are recruiting a Participation Lead to specifically oversee Additional Needs and Disabilities participation. We're looking for someone who is passionate about working with and empowering children and young people with additional needs and disabilities to have their voices heard in the services that they access.
This is a unique role where you will be working directly with children and young people, facilitating participation projects and working closely with senior managers, boards and partners to positively effect change following from youth participation. More information can be found on our website: Surrey Youth Voice - Surrey County Council
As our Participation Lead you will be responsible for:
- Organising and managing children and young people participation projects and events
- Creating opportunities for children and young people to have their voice heard
- Embedding positive service change following feedback from children and young people
- Writing reports and presenting children and young people's feedback to senior management, boards and partners
- Advocating for children and young people's rights whilst championing participation
- Supervising and supporting UVP apprentices
Shortlisting Criteria
To be shortlisted to interview for this position your application will clearly evidence:
- Ability to build positive rapport with children and young people whilst supporting them to actively participate in projects and events
- Ability to effectively manage multiple areas of work including engagement events, market research projects and surveys etc
- Ability to analyse data, identify feedback themes and create meaningful reports
- People and influencing skills: ability to work with a wide range of people, demonstrating active listening, curiosity and empathy to truly understand others' views and experiences
This is a role that will give you fulfilment and the opportunity to truly make a difference. You will become part of a team that supports each other's mental health, learning needs and personal growth.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 8th October 2024 with interviews being held on the 18th and 21st October 2024.
An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:
- The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
- The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.
We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.