Rainbow Fostering Services Ltd are seeking a dedicated and passionate Youth Participation Officer to join our diverse team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for planning and hosting children and family events, educating children, providing mentorship, and supporting young people with special educational needs. As a Youth Participation Officer, you will play a crucial role in creating a safe and nurturing environment for young individuals to thrive. The Ideal Candidate: You will be passionate about ensuring inclusion for all children and young people with additional needs and disabilities in mainstream activities. You’ll be able to quickly build trusting relationships with children of all different abilities and their parents and carers. You’ll be knowledgeable and experienced at supporting children to share their views using a range of participatory tools and techniques and helping them communicate with senior decision makers. We’re looking for someone who understands the value of partnership working and has the ability to manage relationships with a range of partners, including external organisations, across the local area. Key Duties:
- Engage with children and young people in our Youth Participation Service’s activities and programmes - Create and implement developmentally appropriate activities
- Provide educational support and guidance to children
- Mentor and support children and young people, including those with special education needs
- Foster positive relationships with youth and foster families
- Collaborate with colleagues to ensure the well-being of all participants - Log and maintain accurate records of children’s progress and behaviour - Promote and represent Rainbow Fostering across the UK to increase the number of children we support every year - Advocate for the needs of children and families and work in a person-centered way that is empowering to beneficiaries - Ensuring services are delivered safely and responding promptly to any safeguarding related concerns in line with Rainbow Fostering’s procedures and adhering to good practice Requirements: - Driving Licence (essential)
- Bachelor’s degree (preferred) - Proven experience working with children and youth - Experience of delivering group work with children, young people and families - Experience of nurturing relationships with partner organisations
- Knowledge of fostering/foster care principles and practices
- Ability to mentor and support children and young people who have experienced trauma, including those special education needs
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Patience, empathy, and a genuine interest in helping children and young people succeed - Resilient and able to maintain energy, focus and positivity - Creative approach to problem solving - Ability to manage own workload independently - Must be willing to travel for events - Certification in youth work or related field is desirable but not necessary. Join our team as a Youth Participation Officer and make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people in care so that they can reach adulthood with confidence and achieve their dreams. If you are passionate about youth work, mentoring, and supporting children, we encourage you to apply. Job Types: Full-time, Graduate Pay: £25,000.00-£30,000.00 per year Additional pay:
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Work Location: In person Reference ID: RFYPO24
Expected start date: 05/05/2025