Participation and Mentoring Project Support (Care Ambassador)

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UKs first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants. An exciting opportunity is available as a Lead Ambassador for Participation Children in Care and Care Leavers.

Are you care‑experienced and looking for opportunities to be a role model and amplify the voices of the next generation of children in care and care leavers? Would you like a role where you can work across children and young people services, co‑producing programmes of activity and ensuring their voices are reflected in policies and strategies? If so, this is the role for you. Join the team and make a real difference to the lives of children in care and care leavers.

What’s the role?

• A Care‑Experienced individual, with excellent planning, organisational, youth facilitation and strong communication skills, with a proven understanding of youth participation and partnership working with other organisations.
• Good evaluation skills and basic understanding of data processing.
• Familiar with current legislation and Government policy related to children in care, care leavers and youth work.
• Experience of delivering one‑to‑one and group work interventions, information, advice and guidance for young people in a range of settings in response to their needs.
• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating your ability to actively listen, empathise, constructively challenge and resolve conflict, be solution focused, and clearly communicate in writing.
• Ability to work effectively with other professionals in a respectful and collaborative manner.

What’s in it for you?

• Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks

What We’re Looking For

At Lewisham we are now looking for a dynamic Lead Ambassador to join our Participation Team within the Children Looked After & Leaving Care Service. As Lead Ambassador you will be supporting the development and implementation of our Participation and Corporate parenting strategies, leading on the inclusion of youth voice. You will be working directly with participants facilitating sessions, collaborating with other teams, and utilising your project management skills to produce events and activities. The aim is to deliver and engage children in care and care leavers into programmes, sessions to develop their independence, and opportunities that support their development, promote self‑agency and youth voice.

Ensure the voices of young people in care and leaving care are heard and included in decision making, our policies, service development, Participation and Corporate parenting strategies, and our Local Offer. Providing supervision of and guidance to participants during activities, which could include trips, workshops, special events and other associated participation projects. Support the Participation Officer with the planning and coordination of activities and events, demonstrating your ability to use initiative to develop ideas with clear communication. Promoting and advertising upcoming events and activities, including updating and sharing the Participation Calendar.

Working collaboratively with colleagues from Children Looked After, Leaving Care, Fostering and the Virtual School to encourage, engage and empower young people to participate in programmes of activity to make positive change for themselves and their peers. Empower and encourage young people to participate in leadership programmes and become active members of the community and enable young people to gain recognised skills and knowledge through their involvement in council‑led participation opportunities. Attending internal and external Participation and Board Meetings where required. Ability to work outside a normal working day if required. To attend and participate in training, as identified as part of your learning and development.

You will be a Care Experienced Adult (25+), with substantial experience of working in settings for children and young people, in a diverse community. Implementing and effecting sustainable changes in services for children. Effectively managing budgets. Working collaboratively with other services and agencies to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people. Project management. Writing and delivering reports for formal bodies such as Council committees and partnership groups. Identifying, preparing and presenting funding bids.

Location

The job is primarily based at the Leaving Care Hub, 43 Bromley Road, Catford SE6 2UA. There are two local train stations approximately 12 minutes walk from the office, and the train journey from London Bridge is approximately 15 minutes. There are also numerous bus routes that stop right by the office. We operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.

Special conditions

• This role is only open to care‑experienced individuals aged 25+
• The job is subject to a DBS check (Enhanced)
• The application questions must be completed for your application to be considered.
• Good general standard of education including as a minimum English and Mathematics GCSE at grade A*- C or equivalent is required for this role.

The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CVs. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

Salary

£37,509 – £38,637 per annum (Scale 6) N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process.