Torbay Council
Participation Officer - 37 Hours
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Application Deadline: 27 September 2026
Department: Children's Services
Location: Torbay Council
Compensation: £32,578 - £35,570 / year
Description
Job Description & Person Specification >
Help Shape Better Services for Children, Young People and Families.
Do you believe that children, young people and families should have a genuine voice in the decisions that affect their lives?
Are you passionate about participation, engagement and co-production? Do you have the skills to build positive relationships, inspire involvement and ensure that lived experience helps shape services and practice?
If so, we would love to hear from you.
At Torbay Council, we are committed to putting children, young people and families at the heart of everything we do. We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Participation Officer to help ensure that the voices of children, young people, families and communities influence the design, delivery and improvement of services across Children's Services.
About the Role
As a Participation Officer, you will work directly with children, young people, families and communities to create meaningful opportunities for participation and engagement. You will design and facilitate consultation, engagement and co-production activities that enable people to share their views, experiences and ideas and ensure these are reflected in service development and decision making.
A key aspect of the role will be reaching out to those whose voices are often underrepresented or seldom heard, helping to remove barriers to participation and increase inclusion across our services.
You will work collaboratively with colleagues, partners and community organisations, supporting a culture where participation is embedded throughout Children's Services.
Key Responsibilities:
- Plan and deliver participation, engagement and co-production activities.
- Facilitate events, group sessions, consultations and workshops.
- Build trusted relationships with children, young people, families and communities.
- Support children, young people and families to share their experiences and influence change.
- Work with service managers and leaders to gather feedback that informs service improvement.
- Engage with vulnerable, underrepresented and seldom-heard groups.
- Prepare reports, maintain records and contribute to service improvement activity.
- Develop strong partnerships with community groups, schools and partner organisations.
- Promote safeguarding and the welfare of children and young people at all times.
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About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience working with children, young people and families within health, education, social care or a related environment.
- Is an excellent communicator who can engage confidently with a diverse range of individuals and groups.
- Can build positive relationships and work effectively with partners and stakeholders.
- Understands participation, engagement and co-production approaches.
- Has experience supporting vulnerable children, young people and families.
- Can facilitate training, workshops and group activities.
- Is well organised and able to work independently whilst also contributing as part of a team.
- Is committed to safeguarding and improving outcomes for children and young people.
A qualification in youth work (or a related field) and experience of participation, engagement or co-production activity would be advantageous.
What We Offer
- Hybrid and home-working opportunities.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- A supportive and collaborative working environment.
- Opportunities for professional development and training.
- The chance to make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Torbay.
Safeguarding
Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Successful applicants will be required to undergo all relevant safeguarding checks.
Join Us
This is an exciting opportunity to help shape services through the voices and experiences of those who use them. If you are passionate about participation, inclusion and making a positive difference, we would love to hear from you.
Apply now and help us ensure that every voice counts.
This post meets the requirements for an Enhanced Criminal Record Check. This will show spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions which have not been filtered in line with legislation, plus any information held by local Police that is considered relevant to the role.
If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/participation-officer/
Get help with your application
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For an informal chat please contact Bexs Rushton on 01803 208569 or rebecca.rushton@torbay.gov.uk.
Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 5th October 2026.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
At times there is a need to close our adverts earlier than the date specified, however, this advert will not close before 18th September. If you are keen to submit an application, please apply as soon as possible.
Skills
Essential:
- Ability to produce and maintain accurate records and reports.
- Ability to engage positively with children, young people and their families.
- Ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, communities, organisations and partner agencies to support participation, engagement and service improvement.
- Ability to engage and communicate effectively with children and young people, families and communities, supporting their meaningful participation and involvement in services and decision making.
- Understanding the needs children, young people and families including the more complex issues faced by vulnerable and underrepresented groups.
- This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Knowledge
Essential:
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of the issues that impact children, young people and families who access Children’s Services including those who are vulnerable, cared for or care experienced have a special educational needs and disabilities, or face barriers to participation.
- Understanding of basic human needs, physical, emotional, cultural and social.
- Knowledge of participation, engagement and co-production principles.
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Experience & Qualifications
Essential:
- Work in a health, education or social care environment (paid or unpaid) with children and young people and families.
- Experience of working with children, young people and families experiencing high vulnerabilities and levels of needs.
- Experience working to performance indicators, including monitoring and reporting on service outputs/outcomes, tracking of participation activities, analysing performance information, and identifying correction action.
- Educated to GCSE O Level standard at Grade C or above or equivalent.
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