Children and Young People’s Rights and Participation Officer

If you’re looking for an opportunity where your skills and experience can make a significant difference to both your team members and children and families, and where there is an encouraged work life balance, then Rutland is the place for you.   

Our latest Ofsted report recognizes that we are a ‘good’ provider (April 2024) and highlights:

“Rutland has some exceptionally skilled practitioners, who are kind and compassionate. These practitioners, who have manageable workloads, spend time with children and families, and they build positive relationships with them. This is having a positive outcome for many children and their families.

Most practitioners in Rutland are positive about the benefits of working in a small county. They feel very well supported by their managers, and they appreciate the learning and development opportunities afforded to them.”

We are currently looking to recruit a Children and Young People’s Rights and Participation Officer. This is an exciting new and varied role offering you the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with children and families, making sure their voice is always heard.

About you…

To be successful in the role you will need to have:

• Knowledge and understanding of the issues that impact children and young people looked after, in need and leaving care
• Knowledge of the functions of a Social Services Department and its service users
• Experience of supporting and acting as an advocate for children and young people and engaging with hard to reach groups
• Knowledge of national advocacy standards/complaints procedures for children and young people
• Knowledge of recent developments in the field of Children’s Rights and Advocacy.
• Experience of working directly with children and young people
• Experience of using different mediums to gather the views of children and young people

About the role…

As the Children and Young People’s Rights and Participation Officer duties include:

• Actively advocate for children and young people’s views, wishes and feelings to be heard and provide opportunities for them to influence change
• Act as an advocate for young people/children who are looked after/in need, ensuring that their rights are upheld, and their best interests are always paramount. This may involve representing them at meetings, hearings, or reviews, and ensuring that their voices are heard and respected
• Ensure all children and young people accessing Children’s Services are at the heart of decision making in Rutland and to champion children's rights and their participation
• Support the Practice Development Lead with the planning and co-ordination of Children’s Rights, Advocacy, Participation, and access to Council Services.
• To work closely with young people’s participation groups to support rights and participation across all areas.
• Manage a small caseload of children, young people and young adults who require an ongoing service to ensure that their needs are met, their voices heard and that they are involved in decision making about them.
• Ensure that young people/children who are looked after/in need, know their rights and how these can be exercised through the provision of, publicity material, visits to care settings and the organisation of meetings/events at appropriate times and locations.
• Accompany children/young people to local and national forums and social care boards and support them to fully participate and effectively express their views.
• Undertake regular visits and/or communications with children and young people within the local authority, including those who are in, or have left care. This will involve travelling to locations both within and out of Rutland.

This is a varied role that would suit an individual who has sound knowledge in childcare legislation and advocacy and is passionate about making meaningful relationships to achieve change.

The successful applicant for this post will be subject to an enhanced check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The costs for the DBS are paid by us.

The date for the Children and Young People’s Rights and Participation Officer interviews will be confirmed at a later date.  Please be advised this could be subject to change, in which case we will give appropriate notice

Our offer to you:

Rutland Council is committed to Flexible Working and understands the benefits of supporting employees to manage their work and life balance, whilst meeting the needs of the service.

We are committed to supporting and empowering our staff to be the best workers that they can be and Rutland Council is the place you want to be.    Our benefits go beyond the salary – being part of a great team, excellent Local Government Pension, generous annual leave, opportunities to learn and develop your career, and a demonstrable commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of our staff.

Whilst the base for this post is Oakham, Rutland, the Local Authority offers a hybrid working practice.  As well as working from home, we feel it is important that you have the opportunity to spend time in the workplace with your colleagues to help you learn, develop and engage.

Find out more:

To learn more about working with us visit https://jobs.rutland.gov.uk or if you have any queries about this role please contact Jeena Chauhan Practice Development Lead. JChauhan@Rutland.gov.uk

If you are experiencing problems or have any queries about the application process, please call us on 01572 758291 or email us at recruitment@rutland.gov.uk

Rutland County Council is committed to Equality and Diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.  Everyone at Rutland County Council has a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults and for ensuring that they are protected from harm.