Engagement & Participation Officer - North Somerset Safeguarding Partnership

Can you help us ensure that the voices and lived experiences of children, young people and families are at the heart of safeguarding in North Somerset? Are you passionate about participation, co-production and improving services through meaningful engagement?

North Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSSCP) is recruiting an Engagement and Participation Officer on a fixed-term basis for 12 months.

The NSSCP is the multi-agency arrangement in North Somerset that oversees the safeguarding of children and young people. The three statutory safeguarding partners who lead the work of the NSSCP are North Somerset Council, Avon & Somerset Police and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board.

Following an independently commissioned review of participation and lived experience across the safeguarding partnership, the NSSCP is implementing a new Participation and Lived Experience Model to strengthen how the voices of children, young people, parents and carers influence safeguarding policy, practice, learning and improvement.

This is a fixed-term post established to support the implementation and embedding of the NSSCP Participation and Lived Experience Model. The successful candidate will develop and embed sustainable participation approaches that will continue to strengthen the voice of children, young people and families across the partnership.

The postholder will work across partner agencies to coordinate participation activity, strengthen engagement opportunities and ensure that the experiences of children, young people and families inform safeguarding decision making and service improvement.

The role will include:

• Delivering the NSSCP Participation and Lived Experience Model
• Improving participation opportunities with children, young people, parents and carers
• Building effective relationships with safeguarding partners across education, health, police, social care and the voluntary sector
• Facilitating participation groups, consultations and engagement activities
• Gathering, analysing and reporting lived experience themes and feedback
• Supporting the integration of lived experience into safeguarding learning, quality assurance and improvement activity
• Contributing to workforce development specific to participation and engagement across the partnership
• Creating a robust communications system to allow children, young people and families to understand how their voices have influenced change

The NSSCP would like to hear from you if you have:

• Experience of advocating on behalf of children, young people and families and holding professionals accountable to a standard of practice
• Experience of participation, engagement or co-production work with children, young people and families
• Experience of working within safeguarding, children's services or a multi-agency environment
• Experience of facilitating groups, workshops, consultations or engagement activities
• Experience of analysing feedback and presenting information in an accessible and meaningful way
• The ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of professionals, partners and communities
• Understanding of child-centred and trauma-informed approaches

In this role, you will bring:

• A commitment to transforming participation and engagement across the partnership
• A passion for amplifying the voices of children, young people and families
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Creativity and confidence in engaging diverse groups
• Strong organisational and analytical skills
• The ability to work independently while developing effective partnerships

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about ensuring the voices of children, young people and families are heard, and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in safeguarding, children's services, engagement, participation or a related field.
• Experience of representing the voices and lived experiences of children, young people and families, with the ability to develop positive working relationships with partner agencies and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and engagement skills, including the ability to produce clear reports and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and maintain appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality and information-sharing standards.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of engagement, participation or co-production activity within children's services, safeguarding or a related field.
• Experience of working within a multi-agency partnership environment.
• Ability to provide constructive challenge and support professional accountability to agreed standards of practice.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For an informal discussion about the r