At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower children to influence services and decisions that shape their lives.
- Company: Join Hillingdon Council, dedicated to children's rights and community impact.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, generous holidays, mental health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives and promote inclusive participation.
- Qualifications: Organised, collaborative, and passionate about children's rights.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Children’s Participation Officer to empower children and young people across Hillingdon to influence the services and decisions that shape their lives. You’ll work with children and young people known to services, including Children in Need, Looked After Children, Care Leavers, children with disabilities and those in the Youth Justice Service. Guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and relevant legislation, you’ll promote inclusive, trauma-informed and youth-led participation.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and delivering engaging participation activities
- Supporting and growing the Children in Care Council and youth forums
- Representing children’s voices in meetings and consultations
- Working closely with professionals and partner agencies to improve practice and outcomes
- Contributing to training, service development, reporting and continuous improvement within the Children’s Participation Team
If you’re organised, collaborative, committed to children’s rights and excited about creating meaningful opportunities for young people to be heard and make real change, we’d love to hear from you.
We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:
- Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
- 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
- Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
- Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
- Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
- Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
- Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
- Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
- Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly. The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- 5 years of Referencing
Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised. It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Children\'s Participation Officer in Uxbridge employer: Hillingdon Council
Contact Detail:
Hillingdon Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Participation Officer in Uxbridge
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Hillingdon Council and their initiatives around children's rights. 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 professionals in the field, attend relevant events, and engage with local community groups. Building relationships can open doors and give you insights into the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to children's participation and rights. Think about your experiences and how they align with the responsibilities of the role. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged.
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Participation Officer in Uxbridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Participation: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for empowering children and young people shine through. Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your commitment to children's rights and participation.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description. Highlight your skills in developing engaging activities and working collaboratively with young people and professionals.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your ideas and experiences, making it easy for us to see how you fit the role of Children’s Participation Officer.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. This ensures that your application is received directly by us and allows you to easily track your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hillingdon Council
✨Know Your Rights
Familiarise yourself with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and relevant legislation. This will not only show your commitment to children's rights but also help you articulate how you can empower young people in your role.
✨Engage with Real Examples
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully engaged children and young people. Highlight any participation activities you've developed or led, as this will demonstrate your hands-on experience and creativity.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires working closely with professionals and partner agencies. Be ready to discuss how you've collaborated in the past, focusing on your ability to build relationships and work as part of a team to achieve common goals.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions about the Children in Care Council and youth forums. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to improving practice and outcomes for children and young people.