Job Introduction
Participation and Engagement Officer - 16+ Care Leavers
Directorate: People (Childrens, Adults, Public Health, Education and SEND)
Department: Children’s Services
Salary: Range 4A £32,378 per annum
Job Status: Full Time Permanent
Hours: 37 per week
Location: Elaine Centre, Clifton Close, Strood, Kent ME2 2HG
Working Style: Hybrid – Works part from Elaine Centre and part from home.
Closing Date: 23rd August 2026
This is an exciting opportunity to join our 16+ Care Leaver Service as a Participation and Engagement Officer.
Duties include:
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Engaging children in care and care leavers to gather their ideas, opinions, and experiences to help shape the services offered to them.
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Working with young people, colleagues, and management to gather views and opinions of young people related to services and how to improve on the offer to young people.
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Supporting the Participation and Engagement Manager in managing the Care Leavers Hub and programme of activities.
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Assisting with the delivery of events/activities/programmes alongside colleagues in the service and partner agencies; for the benefit of all children in care and care leavers, developing an imaginative programme of activities that meets the needs of young people and is shaped by them.
About you
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NVQ3 in Health and Social Care (or an equivalent relevant subject).
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We require you to have a full UK driving license with access to a vehicle for business purposes.
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Knowledge of the statutory obligations in relation to children and young people in care or who have left care.
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Demonstrable experience in working with children and young people.
The successful post holder will be subject to a Enhanced Childrens’ DBS check.
Please note, this is not a case holding role.
If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager please call Helen King (Team Manager) on 07970345182 or Yananiso Martins- Kuye (Assistant Team Manager) on 07944 720529.
Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.
When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.
The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:
Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.
Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.
Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.
Level A
16+ Care Leavers Service are seeking a Participation and Engagement Officer to join the team at level A. This is the entry point of the role, so you will need to be able to demonstrate the relevant knowledge, experience and skills to get you started, but you will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. All elements of level A listed within the person specification are essential. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.
Important Information-
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Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria at level A which are essential for appointment to the role.
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Medway Council is not able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, so candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK.
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For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.
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Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
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Please note, we prioritise applications from current Medway Council redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.
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We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.
Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.
