At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower children and young people by leading participation groups and designing engagement activities.
- Company: Join Torbay Council's Children's Services team dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and the chance to shape services.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives and help them feel valued and heard.
- Qualifications: GCSEs at Grade C or above and experience with vulnerable children and young people.
The predicted salary is between 26500 - 29000 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 9 February 2026
Department: Childrens Services
Location: Torbay Council
Compensation: £31,537 - £34,434 / year
Overview
Are you passionate about making sure children and young people are heard, valued and empowered? Do you believe in restorative, relational practice and want to help shape services across Torbay using children’s lived experiences? If so — we’d love you to join our team.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Building trusted, meaningful relationships with children and young people.
- Leading participation groups, events and forums (Young Person Panel, Cared for Children Council, SEND Youth Forum).
- Designing engagement activities, surveys and feedback tools.
- Working 1:1 with children and young people to understand their views, wishes and feelings.
- Collaborating with colleagues across the Council to embed participation principles.
- Championing inclusive practice so every child sees themselves represented.
- Supporting service improvement through lived experienced insight.
- Lone working in the community, with flexibility in how you structure your day.
- Safeguarding children and promoting their welfare at all times.
Regulated Activity: This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.
If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser: Job Description
For an informal chat please contact Rebecca Rushton on 01803 208569 or rebecca.rushton@torbay.gov.uk.
Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 16th February 2026. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there’s a published deadline - so if you’re keen, please apply as soon as possible.
Skills
- Ability to produce and maintain accurate records and reports.
- Ability to engage positively with children, young people and their parents.
- Ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of organisations and individuals.
- Ability to engage and communicate effectively with children and young people and form positive working relationships with them, their families and carers, specialist services and colleagues.
- Understanding the needs of local young people including the more complex issues that the most vulnerable young people face in society.
Knowledge
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of the issues that impact on children and young people who are cared for or care experienced and / or have a special educational need and disability.
- Understanding of basic human needs, physical, emotional, cultural and social.
- Knowledge of participation and engagement principles.
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
- Knowledge of Children’s Act 1989 and 2004, Adoption legislation, Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (Parenting Orders and Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003).
Experience & Qualifications
- Educated to GCSE O Level standard at Grade C or above or equivalent.
- Evidence of a consistent pattern of learning from education, training and experience.
- Work in a health, education or social care environment (paid or unpaid) with children and young people.
- Good communication skills and the confidence and ability to deliver training and presentations.
- Experience of working with children, young people and families experiencing high vulnerabilities and levels of needs.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Participation Officer - 37 Hours in Torquay employer: Torbay Council
At Torbay Council, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where every employee is empowered to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people. Our commitment to professional development ensures that you will have ample opportunities for growth, while our collaborative culture fosters strong relationships with colleagues and the community. Join us in shaping services that truly reflect the voices of those we serve in the beautiful Torbay area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Participation Officer - 37 Hours in Torquay
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Torbay Council and their initiatives around children's services. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to children's services. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Think about how your experiences align with the role of Participation Officer. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've engaged with children and young people in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at Torbay Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Participation Officer - 37 Hours in Torquay
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for empowering children and young people shine through. Share personal experiences or insights that demonstrate your commitment to making a difference in their lives.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Participation Officer. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description, especially those related to building relationships and engaging with young people.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. This will help us understand your qualifications and enthusiasm without getting lost in complex wording.
Apply Early:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application! We sometimes close adverts early if we find the right candidate, so get your application in as soon as you can through our website.
How to prepare for a job interview at Torbay Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the issues affecting children and young people, especially those who are cared for or have special educational needs. Brush up on relevant legislation like the Children’s Act 1989 and 2004, as well as the principles of participation and engagement.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your passion for empowering children and young people shine through. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to making a difference in their lives. This will help you connect with the interviewers on a deeper level.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations involving children and young people. Think about examples from your past experience where you’ve built relationships or led participation activities, and be ready to discuss them in detail.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the role and the team. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you. Consider asking about the current challenges the team faces or how they measure the success of their engagement activities.
