Participation Support Officer

Participation Support Officer

Full-Time 37692 - 39276 € / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support children and young people in sharing their voices and improving services.
  • Company: Brent Council, a vibrant and diverse London borough.
  • Benefits: Up to 33 days annual leave, excellent pension, and flexible working options.
  • Other info: Part-time role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience with youth participation and group work is essential.

The predicted salary is between 37692 - 39276 € per year.

Salary range: £37,692- £39,276 (pro rata) p.a. incl. London weighting (plus fantastic benefits!)

Contract: Permanent

Hours of work: 10.8 hours per week

Location: Civic centre and other locations from time to time

An exciting opportunity… Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent’s diversity is evident to all who visit our borough and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here. The council is pursuing a far-reaching transformation agenda that better meets the needs of our community so it is an exciting time to join us.

The Post

We are looking for a Participation Support Worker who is passionate about supporting children and young people to have their voices heard. You will be supporting the participation team to actively involve children and young people in the governance, evaluation and improvement of services. This could be supporting young people to share their views in council meetings to running creative co-design projects for young people to improve services. You will support the delivery of participation sessions and activities with participation groups, such as Brent Youth Parliament.

Sessions and meetings usually take place in person during these times:

  • After school (weekday evenings)
  • Weekends
  • School holidays

The Person

We are looking for someone who is passionate about supporting children and young people to be involved in participation activities and have their voices heard. You will have experience of working with children and young people in groups and knowledge of youth participation principles and practice.

This is a part-time role for 10.8 hours a week and we are looking for someone who has availability to work:

  • After school (weekday evenings)
  • Weekends
  • School holidays
  • Occasional overnight residential trips

Why join us?

We know people achieve their best when they feel valued. At Brent, you’ll benefit from:

  • Up to 33 days annual leave (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays
  • Excellent pension with generous employer contributions (LGPS)
  • Hybrid and flexible working options available for most roles
  • Supportive family-friendly policies for parents, guardians, and carers
  • Health and wellbeing support, including access to eye test support and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
  • Financial support such as education sessions, childcare deposit loans, and season ticket loans
  • Travel perks including affordable parking nearby, a Cycle to Work scheme, and great onsite facilities
  • Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career
  • Access to My Brent Rewards with exclusive discounts on shopping, travel, leisure, and entertainment

Closing date: Wednesday 20 May 2026 (23:59)

Additional Information

If you are interested in applying for this job, please start by clicking the "Apply Now" button below. You must provide a supporting statement as part of your application that clearly shows how you meet the essential requirements on the Job description. We will accept a CV in support of your application, however, you should still provide a supporting statement.

Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this and therefore encourages applications from all sections of the community. We positively encourage all applicants to self-identify their characteristics in the diversity survey section in the application.

We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that posts working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances.

Brent has a positive approach to flexible working.

As a disability confident employer Brent welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including “non-visible” disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us on recruitment@brent.gov.uk.

Participation Support Officer employer: Borough of Brent

Brent Council is an exceptional employer that values diversity and fosters a supportive work environment, making it an ideal place for those passionate about empowering children and young people. With generous benefits such as up to 33 days of annual leave, excellent pension contributions, and flexible working options, employees are encouraged to grow both personally and professionally while contributing to the vibrant community of Brent. Join us in making a meaningful impact in a borough rich in culture and opportunity.

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Contact Detail:

Borough of Brent Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Participation Support Officer

Tip Number 1

Get to know the organisation! Research Brent Council and its initiatives, especially around youth participation. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.

Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips and might even give you a heads-up about what the interviewers are really looking for.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how your experience aligns with supporting children and young people. Use real-life examples to demonstrate your passion and skills during interviews.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Brent Council.

We think you need these skills to ace Participation Support Officer

Experience working with children and young people
Knowledge of youth participation principles and practice
Communication Skills
Facilitation Skills
Creative Project Management
Ability to engage with diverse groups
Teamwork

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for supporting children and young people shine through. We want to see how much you care about giving them a voice and making a difference in their lives.

Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure your supporting statement directly addresses the essential requirements listed in the job description. We’re looking for specific examples of your experience and how it relates to the role, so don’t hold back!

Keep It Clear and Concise:While we love a good story, keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon to ensure your message comes across loud and clear.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to hit that 'Apply Now' button on our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Brent

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you understand the role of a Participation Support Officer inside out. Familiarise yourself with youth participation principles and think about how you can support children and young people in having their voices heard. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your passion for the role.

Showcase Your Experience

Prepare specific examples from your past work with children and young people. Think about times when you facilitated group discussions or led activities. Being able to share these experiences will demonstrate your capability and enthusiasm for the position.

Engage with the Community

Research Brent and its diverse community. Understanding the borough's unique characteristics and challenges will allow you to speak knowledgeably about how you can contribute to the council's transformation agenda. It shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in the community you'll be serving.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the participation projects currently underway or how the council measures the impact of youth involvement. Asking questions shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.