We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative Participation & Engagement Practitioner to join our Integrated SEND Service. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference by ensuring that children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), together with their families, are actively involved in shaping the support they receive and influencing the development of local services.
Working across education, health and care, you will lead engagement activities and participation opportunities that place children, young people and families at the centre of decision making. You will help develop innovative ways to gather views, build meaningful partnerships and support a culture of co-production across York.
Working closely with parent carers, schools, settings, voluntary organisations and service providers you will represent the Local Authority at local and regional SEND participation and co-production events, gathering, analysing and presenting feedback to help shape services and influence decision making.
We are looking for someone who has experience working with and understanding the needs of children and young people with SEND. You must be able to demonstrate excellent communication and relationship-building skills and be confident facilitating groups, events, training sessions and workshops. This role will involve working outside of the usual office hours to accommodate the groups’ needs.
It is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of SEND services in York. If you are passionate about empowering children and young people, building partnerships and influencing positive change, we would love to hear from you.
As this role is public facing, applicants will need to demonstrate, at interview, their competency to converse and provide advice and guidance to members of the public, in spoken English to CEFR level C1: Can express themselves fluently and spontaneously, almost effortlessly. Only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow of language.
City of York Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We require the successful candidate to undertake an enhanced Criminal Record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The Council is committed to investing in the talent and wellbeing of our staff and can offer a generous annual leave allowance, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, comprehensive Health & Wellbeing initiatives and a reward package which recognises your contribution. We can offer flexible working practices, community engagement and volunteer activities and, as part of our commitment to you, promote continuous Learning & Development. In addition we also offer a growing range of discounts, rewards and savings.
For further information or an informal discussion please contact Laura Brown Voice and Participation Officer at
[email protected]
Closing date: Thursday 17 September at 12 midnight
Interview date: 30th September 2026
