At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower young voices with SEND and shape local services for genuine inclusion.
- Company: Join a caring council dedicated to community support and youth engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, flexible working, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Unique opportunity to work across local authorities and the NHS until April 2027.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by amplifying youth voices and driving change in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience with disabled children, strong communication skills, and a passion for youth empowerment.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Amplify young voices with SEND and help shape services that drive genuine inclusion. As our Bi-borough Children and Young People’s Participation and Engagement Officer (SEND), you’ll empower young people to shape the local services that affect their lives. It’s a role with real impact – a chance to undertake genuine co‑production and ensure the voices of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are directly heard across our communities.
Working Style
You’ll be based in the Borough for four days a week, playing a key role in serving the local community. Whether you’re running interactive sessions in schools, collaborating with local partners or engaging community groups, you’ll be part of a dedicated team making a real difference to residents’ lives.
What you’ll be doing
Your focus will be bringing youth participation to life, leading engaging activities for children and young people with SEND across Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster. Every day brings variety – whether you’re facilitating interactive workshops in schools and colleges or creating accessible information materials so every young person can share their views with confidence. Working across two local authorities and the local NHS Integrated Care Board, you’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, education providers and voluntary sector partners to ensure young people’s insights directly shape policy and service delivery. You’ll also represent young people’s perspectives at service level meetings and champion robust safeguarding practices across all engagement activities.
What you’ll bring
You’ll bring substantial experience of working directly with disabled children and young people from diverse backgrounds, alongside a proven track record of leading participation and engagement programmes. You have a solid understanding of SEND, inclusion and multi‑agency working, with practical experience involving young people in structured decision‑making processes. Backgrounds in youth work, education, local government, the NHS or community engagement will suit this role well. Your strength lies in your communication and relationship‑building skills. You can easily adapt your facilitation techniques and communication styles to meet a wide range of needs, ensuring every participant feels respected, supported and heard. You’re proactive, organised and collaborative, with the ability to build trust across diverse communities and champion equality in everything you do. Most importantly, you’re someone who genuinely believes in the power of the youth voice – and who’s ready to do the work to make sure those voices drive real change.
Why join us
At RBKC, we’re all in – investing in our people, our communities and our future. This role offers a unique fixed‑term secondment opportunity until 2 April 2027 to work across two ambitious local authorities and the NHS. You’ll gain broad exposure across local government, education and health sectors, strengthening your expertise in co‑production, strategic service development and partnership working. We offer a competitive salary, dedicated professional development, flexible working arrangements and comprehensive wellbeing support to help you thrive.
Interview Details and Role Requirement
Interviews will be held in person Tuesday 22nd September 2026. This role will require an Enhanced Children’s and Adult’s DBS.
About us
Kensington and Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique local places. Everything we do is focused on supporting our residents, strengthening our approach and creating a fairer borough. As a competent and caring Council, we take pride in our work every day, ensuring our services are delivered with care and competence. We listen to our residents, act with integrity and work together to build a borough that is greener, safer and fairer for all. In this role, you’ll bring a get‑stuck‑in mindset to breaking down barriers and amplifying youth voices. Engaging young people with complex communication and support needs isn't always plain sailing, but seeing their feedback directly transform local services makes every ounce of effort worth it. By committing fully to co‑production, you’ll turn complex challenges into meaningful opportunities for growth, inclusion and lasting change.
Ready to join us?
We’re all in – are you? If you share our values and have the skills to contribute, we’d love to hear from you. We are committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible. We are committed to fair, transparent, and consistent pay practices. New hires will start at the minimum of the salary range. Employees receive annual salary increases until they reach the top of the pay scale. In addition, employees will receive any agreed cost of living pay rises.
SEND Participation Engagement Officer in London employer: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises sustainability and community engagement. As a Decarbonisation and Sustainability Manager, you will have the opportunity to lead transformative projects that not only contribute to carbon-neutral housing but also empower residents through co-design initiatives. With a strong focus on professional development and a commitment to making a meaningful impact in the community, this role offers a rewarding career path in a vibrant and supportive environment.
Contact Details:
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Participation Engagement Officer in London
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace SEND Participation Engagement Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary SEND Participation Engagement Officer role at The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
