Location
London (Hybrid) – You’ll be expected to be in the office at least 3 days per week or 60% of your working time in the office.

Hours
Full-time – Permanent

Salary
£42,750 - £47,620 per annum inclusive of Inner London Weighting

About the Role
Are you passionate about championing children’s rights and amplifying young voices — especially those who need to be heard the most? We’re looking for a Children’s Rights and Participation Officer to lead meaningful engagement with children and young people across the City of London, ensuring they’re at the heart of our services, policies and decision-making. You’ll work with children in care, care leavers, young carers and others with lived experience of Early Help or Social Care, helping shape a city where every child’s voice matters.

You will design and lead innovative ways for children and young people to participate, share feedback, and influence service improvements. From advocacy to Return Home Interviews, your work will directly protect rights, promote wellbeing and improve outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:
- Championing the Voice of the Child by promoting participation across Children’s Services, coordinating the Children in Care Council, and driving co-production.
- Delivering advocacy that makes a difference by supporting individual children and young people to navigate systems, access their rights and thrive.
- Influencing at every level by sharing insights and evidence with senior leaders and Members to improve services for those who need them most.

At the City of London Corporation, you’ll work in a small, dynamic and dedicated team with the influence and scope to make a tangible difference in children’s lives. Reporting to the Head of Safeguarding and Quality Assurance, you will collaborate across internal services and external partners to ensure children’s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. You will also be supported to develop professionally with ongoing CPD and a role that offers variety, creativity and purpose.

In addition to a competitive salary and membership of the excellent Local Government Pension Scheme, you can look forward to a comprehensive package of benefits including interest-free season ticket and bicycle loans, plus discounts on health and wellbeing, arts and culture.

Experience
- Relevant qualification (e.g. in youth work, social work) or equivalent experience in participation and advocacy
- Experience working with children and young people in vulnerable situations
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, children’s rights (e.g. UNCRC, Children Act 1989), and local authority operations
- Skilled in developing creative, inclusive engagement methods such as workshops, surveys, events and training

About you
- A confident communicator who can build trust and challenge when needed
- Committed to promoting equity, inclusion and anti-racist practice
- Knowledgeable about GDPR, confidentiality, and able to manage IT, time and reporting effectively

Qualifications
- A relevant qualification in youth work, social work or a related field is required or equivalent experience in participation and advocacy