At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead participation strategy to empower children and families in social care.
- Company: Join Central Bedfordshire Council, a recognised leader in children's services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by amplifying the voices of children and families.
- Qualifications: Experience in advocacy and a passion for child welfare.
The predicted salary is between 41042 - 44296 £ per year.
Team: Children’s Services Quality Assurance
Job Family: Supporting - CBG11
Salary: £41,042 - £44,296 per annum pro rata
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per month.
Contract Type: Hybrid - Permanent
Closing Date: 20th July 2026
Interview Date: 28th July 2026
About the Role
Central Bedfordshire Council is seeking an experienced Participation Lead, to lead and implement the participation strategy across children’s social care. This is a role that will sit at the very centre of our quality assurance team, providing parents and children with opportunities to have a genuine voice in the services that affect them.
Working closely with the Family Meeting, Advocacy and Mediation service, this role develops parent and child advocacy, leads co-production activity and ensures that feedback from children, young people and families directly shapes practice and service development as part of the Families First reforms.
You will be responsible for developing opportunities for meaningful participation with children and families who are supported with child in need plans, child protection plans and are supported by our edge of care teams, using innovative approaches to hear from seldom heard voices.
You will act as the lead practitioner in promoting participation activity, ensuring this leads to tangible change and service improvement. You will work closely with practitioners across the local authority, with elected members and statutory safeguarding partners, to promote the voices of children in our care and influence change. This will include leading the Children in Care Council and Care Experienced Forums.
The post holder will need to be flexible to evening and weekend working, as required, with the ability to support on an annual residential trip.
You will have line management responsibility for one participation worker, with the potential for further expansion as the role develops.
As the participation lead, you will develop and manage a programme of participation events and projects, including the Young Inspectors Programme and the annual celebration for looked after and care-experienced children and young people.
This is an exciting time to join us. Children and Families Services have been recognised as ‘Good’ by Ofsted in 2025. We are proud of our relationship-based practice, high performance, and culture of learning and development.
Our Offer
We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.
Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process.
Safeguarding: Central Bedfordshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and contractors to share this commitment. This post is subject to the disclosure of criminal records.
To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants, it is Central Bedfordshire Council's policy to only consider applications made via our online application system and we therefore thank you for not submitting your application offline.
All new starters will join us on a four‑month probationary period. During this time, if you are offered a Hybrid role you will be required to attend a Central Bedfordshire Council office location more frequently to support thorough and well‑supported onboarding into your role. Please keep this in mind if you anticipate extensive travel to Central Bedfordshire.
Career opportunities Participation Lead - Children and Families employer: Central Bedfordshire Council
Central Bedfordshire Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong emphasis on professional development and a commitment to safeguarding the welfare of children and families, staff are encouraged to engage in meaningful participation initiatives that directly impact service improvement. The council's recognition as 'Good' by Ofsted reflects its high-performance culture, while the flexible working arrangements and comprehensive benefits package make it an attractive place for those seeking a rewarding career in children's services.
Contact Details:
Central Bedfordshire Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Career opportunities Participation Lead - Children and Families
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Central Bedfordshire Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Central Bedfordshire Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Central Bedfordshire Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Central Bedfordshire Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Career opportunities Participation Lead - Children and Families
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Central Bedfordshire Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Central Bedfordshire Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Central Bedfordshire Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
