At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in care to share their views and influence decisions.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, dedicated to improving lives of children in care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to creating a sense of belonging.
- Why this job: Use your lived experience to inspire and empower young people in care.
- Qualifications: Care experienced with strong communication and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 32070 - 34359 £ per year.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a care experienced individual to use their experience to make a real difference in the lives of children in care and care leavers across Leicestershire. Working as part of the Corporate Parenting Team, you will support young people to share their views, influence decisions and shape the services they receive.
You will build positive relationships with children and young people, organise participation activities and events, and help create opportunities for young people to have their voices heard by senior leaders, elected members and partner organisations. Whether supporting a Youth Voice Council meeting, helping a young person prepare for a presentation, or celebrating the achievements of care experienced young people, you will play a key role in ensuring every young person feels valued, listened to and connected.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about improving outcomes for children in care, understands the importance of belonging and participation, and can inspire young people to reach their potential. This role offers the chance to turn your experience into positive change, helping to ensure that the voices of care experienced children and young people are at the heart of everything we do.
An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post.
To apply for this post, you must be able to evidence in your application how you meet the following criteria:
- Care experienced, with a desire to use lived experience to support and inspire young people.
- Passionate about improving outcomes for children in care and care leavers.
- Good standard of written and spoken English, to write letters, newsletters and reports to a high standard.
- A good standard of maths and spreadsheets, sufficient to produce basic statistical information.
- Able to build positive relationships with young people and professionals.
- Committed to amplifying young people’s voices and encouraging participation.
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Able to organise and coordinate activities, events and projects effectively.
- Committed to creating a sense of belonging, ensuring children and young people feel valued, included and connected.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process.
Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact Nicola Madgett - Childrens Rights and Participation Team Leader, Telephone: 0116 305 0456, Email: Nicola.Madgett@leics.gov.uk.
Participation Officer in Leicester employer: Golearnleicestershire
Leicestershire County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for Senior Kinship Assessment Social Workers. With flexible working options, employees can achieve a healthy work-life balance while contributing to the welfare of children within their family networks. The council prioritises professional development, providing ample opportunities for growth and advancement in a meaningful career dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Participation Officer in Leicester
✨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 Golearnleicestershire.
✨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 Golearnleicestershire!
✨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 Golearnleicestershire, 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 Golearnleicestershire 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 Participation Officer in Leicester
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 Golearnleicestershire:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Golearnleicestershire! 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 Golearnleicestershire
✨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.
