Location
Ealing

Hours
Full Time - 35 hours per week

Salary
£42,000 per annum

About the Role
Ealing Council has an exciting opportunity for a Children in Care Participation Officer on a permanent, full-time basis. We are committed to ensuring every family has a decent living income and access to genuinely affordable homes. Our vision is to create communities where everyone can live a long, happy, and healthy life, full of pride and identity. We aim to foster an environment where every child can reach their potential and achieve their dreams. As Corporate Parents, we recognise that children and young people are experts in their own lives, and their voices are central to shaping the support we provide. We are dedicated to listening to their experiences, views, and aspirations to ensure our Corporate Parenting Offer reflects what matters most to them and supports them to thrive, succeed, and feel valued.

This role is ideal for a professional with significant experience in youth participation and a passion for enabling children and young people to have a voice that informs and influences positive change in our corporate parenting offer. You will join a forward-thinking organisation and help shape our participation model.

You will have a varied and dynamic workload, creatively working with young people, facilitating inclusive activities, supporting targeted programmes, and preparing young people for independence.

If you are drawn to working in a creative, cross-departmental, and multi-agency environment alongside a dedicated and supportive team, developing your skills while helping children and young people to thrive, this role is for you.

As the Children in Care Participation Officer you will:
1. Work effectively as part of the Council’s Children in Care team, delivering corporate objectives through the participation officer role.
2. Collaborate with specialist teams for children and young people within the borough to empower young people and promote interdisciplinary working.
3. Work with partner agencies and statutory bodies to promote the voice of children in care nationally and within the borough.
4. Implement, support, and promote systems for involving children and young people in reviewing and influencing policies affecting them, including the Children in Care Council.
5. Systematically monitor and report young people’s views and experiences of services to managers, policy makers, and elected members, and participate in the Corporate Parenting Panel.

Experience
- Significant experience in youth participation.
- Ability to communicate to a high standard and respond appropriately to trauma responses within young people.
- Ability to manage resources within budgetary constraints, securing best value and cost effectiveness.
- Experience working with young people and maintaining a regular, well-attended Children in Care Council.
- Flexibility to complete working hours that meet the needs of the service.

About you
- Passionate about empowering children and young people.
- Able to work creatively in a cross-departmental and multi-agency environment.
- Committed to supporting children and young people to thrive and succeed.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Qualifications
- Relevant degree is preferable.
- Enhanced DBS check is essential for this role.