Child and Family Advocate & Participation Officer

We have an excellent opportunity available for a Child and Family Advocate & Participation Officer to join our motivated Children Services team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a Full Time, Permanent Basis.

Wokingham Borough Council has a strong commitment to listening to children and their families.  We are excited to announce the creation of a new Participation Team, focused on ensuring that the voices of children and families are heard and actively involved in decision-making processes. We are looking for a passionate and committed individual to join us as a Child and Family Advocate & Participation Officer.

As a Child and Family Advocate & Participation Officer, you will play a pivotal role in advocating for the rights and needs of children and families. You will lead efforts to engage families in the development and evaluation of services and policies that affect their lives, ensuring their views and experiences inform local practices.

Within this role you will also ensure that children and young people are encouraged to exercise their rights and to participate in decisions which affect them.

You will seek to promote the child’s identity, developmental, social, emotional, educational, religious and cultural needs.

Benefits

In this role, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children and families in our community. You will work within a supportive team environment, receive ongoing training and professional development, and be part of a forward-thinking local authority that values participation and advocacy.

You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

⭐ A generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days (rising to 33 days after 5 years continued local government service) (Pro Rata), plus Bank Holidays

⭐ An excellent local government pension scheme

⭐ An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline

⭐ A range of local & lifestyle discounts

⭐ Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)

⭐ Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes

⭐ And much more! 

Key responsibilities:

• Provide an advocacy service to children and families in receipt of children’s services using a range of tools to understand their views.
• Collaborate with social workers, IRO’s and a range of other professionals to maximise take up of advocacy and to facilitate the resolution of issues and raise awareness of advocacy; ensuring children have a voice and influence the decisions made about them.
• Ensure that children and young people are informed of and understand their rights and are empowered to speak out and access these rights
• Support children and young people through the complaint’s procedure when necessary
• Contribute to the development and delivery of training, seminars, workshop and other learning opportunities relating to advocacy and child and family participation
• Maintain accurate records of outcomes and contribute to the delivery of reports

Candidate requirements:

• NVQ level 3 in a relevant subject or equivalent qualification/experience.
• Ability to work directly with children and adapt practices to meet the needs of all children including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
• Experience of working with children, young people and their parents/carers, in a professional setting, particularly those from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively engage with children, families and stakeholders
• Experience of creating inclusive environments and working with children and young people who have difficulties building trust and need extra support to feel safe to express their opinions and ideas.

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools including 69 primary and 21 secondary, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

If you’re interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today.

For further discussion please contact Sara James, Head of Service, Quality Assurance and Safeguarding sara.james@wokingham.gov.uk 

Closing: 10 February 2025, 11pm

Interviews: 21 February 2025

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer. 

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.   

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.