Parental Participation Officer
Are you passionate about empowering parents, carers, children and young people to influence the services they receive? We're looking for a skilled and enthusiastic Parental Participation Officer to join our Children's Participation Team and lead meaningful engagement with families across our Children's Services.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering our Families First Programme and our Best Start in Life Programme, ensuring that the experiences, views and ideas of parents and carers directly inform service development, professional practice and strategic decision-making.
This post is fixed-term for 12 months.
The Successful Candidate
As our Parental Participation Officer, you will build trusted relationships with parents, carers, children and young people, creating opportunities for them to share their experiences and influence the services that support them. You will work closely with senior leaders, elected members, health partners and community organisations to develop and deliver engagement activities that make a real difference.
You will lead the development and implementation of a Parental Engagement Strategy, coordinate consultation and participation activities, and provide advice and support to colleagues on effective engagement and co-production approaches. Working across services and partner organisations, you will ensure that the voices of families help shape future priorities and improvements.
We are looking for someone who has:
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A relevant NVQ Level 4 qualification (or equivalent) in areas such as social work, youth and community work, education, health, engagement or a related field.
- Experience of working directly with parents, carers, children and young people in community, statutory or voluntary sector settings.
- Knowledge of legislation and policy affecting children, young people and families, including the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice.
- An understanding of participation, engagement and co-production principles.
- Strong communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
- A genuine commitment to ensuring that lived experience influences service design and delivery.
What We Offer
In return, you'll join the Communities and Inclusion Service based in Cobalt Business Park and be part of a supportive team that is committed to improving outcomes for children, young people and families. You'll have the opportunity to work alongside senior leaders, elected members, health partners and community organisations to influence positive change across all services.
If you're passionate about participation, engagement and making sure families are at the heart of decision-making, we'd love to hear from you.
Contact:
For an informal conversation regarding the vacancy, please contact:
Toni McMullan - Children's Particiption Manager
A Basic Level DBS Check will be required for this post
Applications based upon flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be given full consideration.
Why North Tyneside Council?
Our People First strategy is our promise to make North Tyneside Council an exceptional place to work, where everyone can thrive and flourish. A place where people want to work, where joining our team is an exciting prospect, staying with us feels like a great decision, and building your career at North Tyneside Council is a natural progression.
As part of our People First strategy, we are committed to creating a workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our success and the well-being of our employees and residents. Our goal is to foster an environment where everyone feels welcome, safe and valued.
Together, we're crafting a workplace that's built on our values and a shared commitment to making a difference.
If you are passionate and committed about making a difference and want to work somewhere where you can make positive change, we will provide the right environment for you to excel.
Alongside our People First strategy, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and adults at risk of harm. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment and to familiarise themselves with all relevant policies, procedures and guidance. Within North Tyneside, safeguarding is everybody’s business.
Require a reasonable adjustment? If you feel a reasonable adjustment will provide additional support in both the recruitment process and within the workplace, please indicate this to the hiring manager on your application. Declaring a reasonable adjustment will not subject you to any form of discrimination when determining which applicants are successful for interview and employment with us.
Our Carbon Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan
In 2019, North Tyneside Council declared a climate emergency. This declaration set a target to reduce the carbon footprint of the council’s operations, and the borough, by 50% by 2023 and to align to the Government’s net zero target of 2050.
We recognise the significant role we can play in the borough in helping to limit climate change, but we can’t do this alone; we need help from all our residents, businesses, voluntary and community sectors and of course all those who apply and work for us. Together we can make North Tyneside a sustainable place to live and work for everyone in the borough.
To learn more about Our Carbon Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan
Applying
To view more information about the role and view the Job Description please click "Apply" you will be taken to the North Tyneside Careers Portal.
Learn More
For further information about North Tyneside Council, the benefits of working for us, candidate support, and the many attractions of working and living in North Tyneside please see the council’s “work for us" page here Work for us | North Tyneside Council
