Children's Advocacy Officer

North Lincolnshire Council; Scunthorpe; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in England is seeking a dedicated individual to advocate for children and young people's rights. The role involves supporting young individuals, especially those with care experience, to ensure they feel heard and valued. Candidates should be flexible, compassionate, and experienced in safeguarding. This position requires working outside of typical hours to accommodate the needs of children and young people.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children and young people, especially those with care experience.
• Understanding of safeguarding and laws protecting children.
• Ability to communicate professionally and positively with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support children to be heard and involved in decisions about their lives.
• Undertake Independent Return Discussions for missing children.
• Build relationships that prioritize feelings and experiences.
• Work flexibly to meet the needs of young people.

Skills

Advocacy for children's rights

Safeguarding knowledge

Experience with children in care

Flexibility and creativity

Empathy and patience

Job description

Overview

We are looking for someone who truly listens to children and young people, believes in their rights, and wants to support them to speak up and shape decisions that affect their lives.

This role is to ensure children and young people, especially those with care experience feel seen, heard, and valued every step of the way.

Responsibilities

• Supporting children and young people to speak up and be listened to especially when things feel difficult or confusing.
• Undertaking 'Independent Return Discussions' for children and young people who have been missing from home or care and who need support to feel safe and understood.
• Building trusting relationships that put feelings and experiences first, being part of the 'Get Loud' groups and supporting activities and consultations.
• Working around the child or young person's needs, being flexible with your time and creative in your approach.
• Using knowledge and experience of children's legislation and rights to champion advocacy for our North Lincolnshire children.
• Recording information in a clear, concise way and presenting confidently and professionally in meetings.

What we’re looking for

• Believes every child has the right to be heard and involved in decisions that impact their life and will work hard to make an impact and challenge appropriately on their behalf.
• Understands safeguarding and the laws that protect children.
• Has experience supporting children and young people, especially those with care experience.
• Is fun, creative and open-minded.
• Is very flexible, this is important as you will be working at times that suit the young people, not just 9 to 5 pm.
• Brings kindness, patience and empathy, always working to ensure that children and young people are at the heart of everything we do.
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The post holder will be expected to work their contracted hours flexibly to accommodate the needs of children and young people for example visits, consultation work and other voice events often take place after 5pm and on some weekends.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with experience of supporting and safeguarding children and young people. You should have the ability to communicate in a professional, positive and creative way with a range of people across organisations. You should be committed to supporting and promoting children's rights, with a strong value base.

About Our Organisation

We are collectively organised around the people and place of North Lincolnshire. Together we ensure that our communities are safe, well, prosperous and connected. We are ambitious for North Lincolnshire, we want our area to be the #BestPlace for our residents by being the #BestCouncil we can be. We achieve this through living our values - equality of opportunity, excellence, integrity and self-responsibility - in all that we do.