User Voice & Participation Officer
- Recruiter
- Surrey County Council
- Location
- Woking
- Salary
- Competitive
- Posted
- 05 Jun 2021
- Closes
- 22 Jun 2021
- Sectors
- Health, Nursing & Social Care
- Contract Type
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full Time
The starting salary for this role is GBP27,991 and is based on a 36 working hour week.
The User Voice & Participation (UVP) Team work to empower young people to be involved in decision making about their lives and services that affect them. We are part of Surrey County Council and are working in collaboration with frontline teams to improve outcomes for children, young people and those in their network. The UVP Team appropriately challenge and are professionally curious. We not only listen but work with them to affect change.
The UVP Team run 8 different types of user participation groups that build confidence and skills, whilst having fun and encouraging peer support. The aim of the team is to gain the trust of young people who use core Surrey services to be able to share with us their journeys, what is and isn't working well. Our role is to ensure leadership teams and partners make changes to improve the user's journey and we record, track and chase up feedback to put the power back into the hands of our users.
Our participation groups support children and young people from the care system, mental health services, special education needs and disabilities, those deemed to be at high risk due to offending or going missing. We also support our future politicians through Surrey Youth Cabinet.
This Participation Officer role sits within the area of the team who focus on those who have been in the care system or open to social care teams for other reasons. We are looking for someone to supervise Apprentices and their running of participation groups, and someone who can identify ways to engage more young people to attend and have their voices heard.
The role also involves the organisation and management of multiple events, such as award ceremonies and Christmas parties. Due to COVID-19 some work is still being run virtually and therefore we need someone who is comfortable with a wide variety of online platforms.
The role will include attending different team meetings to promote the UVP Team and the power of participation. Participation Officers are required to run market research projects, follow up with professionals regarding service changes, communication methods and reports.
There is a job description, but this is what we need you to demonstrate in your application form:
- Experience of supervising, coaching or mentoring multiple people and able to evidence how the support enabled others to reach their full potential
- Experience of effectively managing multiple areas of work, such as events, market research projects, engagement events, training, surveys etc
- People and influencing skills - able to work with a wide range of people, actively listen and truly hear others views
- Team work - we are all in this together and collaborate internally and externally to achieve our ultimate goals
- Good Excel skills, ability to analyse data and see feedback themes
- Proven record of creating communications that are impactful and reach a variety of learning styles
- Resilience when hearing other stories, which can be upsetting. Able to empathise and be compassionate whilst identifying a support pathway.
We are offering:
- A role that will give you fulfilment and where you can truly make a difference
- A team that support each other's mental health, learning needs and encourages personal growth
- GBP27,991 starting salary for 36 hours per week
- Laptop and iPhone
- Flexible working, hours to work around the needs of the team and you - we are not looking for a fixed 9-5pm worker.
Teams are currently based in Woking and Leatherhead, but we ultimately work from home now and have a flexible approach to working locations and hours. Face to face meetings occur in Surrey between 1 - 3 times per month currently, applicants need to be a commutable distance to Woking and Leatherhead. After COVID we will continue to offer an agile working culture.
Many of our participation events operate in the evenings and there are a handful of overnight residential and weekend events, which the whole team support. Some people may choose to lie in bed on a Monday morning and work late on nights where they have groups or are speaking to young people for feedback - we work around the needs of the team and our staff operate transparent practises through shared online diary systems.
We welcome applications from those who can work under pressure and to key deliverables.
We are a supportive team so would be keen to hear from people with additional needs or those who may have experienced social care services and have a passion for improving the lives of Surrey children.
See more about the team on:
Instagram & Twitter
Facebook & YouTube &participation
Websites:
https://social-care-and-health/children-in-care/user-voice
https://
Additional InformationContact Details
For an informal discussion contact Jessica Clark by e-mail at .uk. We look forward to receiving your application.
Additional Information
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 23rd May 2021.
Interview date TBC.
From flexible working to job sharing (where possible) we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance. A laptop and mobile will be supplied if applicable to your role. You will benefit from 26 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service, a generous local government salary related pension, as well as the option to join our car lease scheme. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit MyBenefits for Surrey County Council staff.
Surrey County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.
An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
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