Child & Youth Participation and Engagement Officer

Job Description

4Recruitment Services are seeking to recruit a Child & Youth Participation and Engagement Officer for our client based in Rotherham.
  
The service users are from the ages of 0-18 (21 if a care leaver or SEND).
  
You will play a key role in empowering children and young people to express their views, influence decisions, and shape services that affect their lives. You will work directly with children—both 1:1 and in group settings—to ensure their voices are central to planning, delivery, and evaluation across social care and wider services.
  
You’ll support a range of participation groups including the Children in Care, Care Leavers, etc as well as advocacy and volunteer programmes. You’ll also present young people’s views to senior leaders, including police and social care professionals, and contribute to regional and national campaigns.
  
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
  

• Facilitate meaningful group work and 1:1 sessions that promote child voice and participation
• Plan, organise, and risk assess sessions to ensure they are purposeful and outcome-driven
• Advocate for children in care and care leavers, supporting them to understand their rights and feel heard
• Present key themes and feedback from children in creative and engaging formats
• Support children to share their views with senior leaders and influence policy and practice
• Coordinate inspection activities with Young Inspectors to assess child-centred services
• Maintain momentum and engagement across participation groups
• Build and manage relationships with professionals across sectors to embed child voice in decision-making
• Support training and awareness-raising around co-production and the value of children’s voices
• Keep accurate records and manage finances in line with RMBC policy
• Promote inclusive practice and trauma-informed approaches throughout service delivery

  
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:
  

• Experience working with children and young people, ideally in youth work, family support, early help, or education
• Strong understanding of trauma and its impact on children
• Background in social care is preferred
• Skilled in group facilitation, relationship-building, and maintaining engagement
• Confident presenting to professionals and advocating for children’s views
• Organised, creative, and passionate about participation and co-production
• Able to travel across multiple locations and work flexibly, including evenings and occasional weekends
• Enhanced DBS

  
Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. 4Recruitment Services is an equal opportunities employer.
  
To discuss this vacancy in further detail or any other vacancies, please contact our Team on 0800 988 6307 or email  gpadmin@4recruitmentservices.com.