Participation and Engagement Officer - permanent

Job description

Job responsibilities

Championing childrens voices and family participation shaping services together for a better Oxfordshire.

About Us

Oxfordshire County Council and the partnership, is at the heart of delivering positive change for local communities, offering a dynamic and supportive environment where your work truly matters.By joining us, youll be part of a forward-thinking organisation and partnership committed to championing childrens voices, driving innovation, and shaping services that make a genuine difference across Oxfordshire.If you are passionate about ensuring children and families are heard and want to be part of a team that puts people first, Oxfordshire County Council is the place to build a rewarding and impactful career.

About the Role

The Participation and Engagement Officer will champion the rights, voice, and active participation of children, young people and families across Oxfordshires Children, Education and Families Directorate and the partnership.The postholder will ensure that the children, young people and families we support are meaningfully involved in decisions affecting their lives and, in the development, and evaluation of services.The role will promote a culture of listening, advocacy, and co-production and design, working collaboratively with internal teams, external partners, and participation groups.

About you

As a candidate for the Participation & Engagement Officer position, you are passionate about championing the rights, voice, and active participation of children, young people, and families across Oxfordshire. You are committed to ensuring that those you support are meaningfully involved in decisions that affect their lives, as well as in the development and evaluation of services. You thrive in promoting a culture of listening, advocacy, and co-production, and you work collaboratively with internal teams, external partners, and participation groups to embed these values in practice. Your approach is rooted in empowering others, fostering genuine engagement, and driving positive change through inclusive and innovative participation.

Rewards and benefits

• Culture of flexible working
• Technology to support agile working where role permits
• 30 days annual leave per annum plus bank holidays
• Option to buy additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employers contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

Ourcommitment to:Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce.Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job.We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships.We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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For an informal discussion about the role please contact - karen.leverett@oxfordshire.gov.uk orannelies.henshall@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

• Please refer to job description above

Desirable

• Please refer to job description above

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Oxfordshire County Council

Address

Oxford

OX1 1ND

Employer's website

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)