Engagement & Participation Officer - North Somerset Safeguarding Partnership

North Somerset Council • Weston, FL

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

North Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSSCP) is recruiting an Engagement and Participation Project Officer on a fixed-term basis for 12 months. The post supports implementation of the NSSCP Participation and Lived Experience Model, following an independently commissioned review of participation and lived experience across the partnership. The successful candidate will develop and embed sustainable approaches that strengthen the influence of children’s and families’ voices across safeguarding services.

Working across partner agencies, the postholder will coordinate participation and engagement activity, support the use of lived experience in partnership governance, quality assurance and improvement, and help ensure that children’s and families’ perspectives influence safeguarding practice, decisions and service development. The role will also help partner agencies strengthen participation and co-production in their own services.

The NSSCP is the multi-agency arrangement in North Somerset that oversees the safeguarding of children. Its three statutory safeguarding partners are North Somerset Council, Avon & Somerset Police and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board. This role is a Flexible Worker position: work is expected to be split between home and the office, with 2–3 days in the office. More office attendance may be needed during induction, and working-style preferences can be discussed.

The position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and requires an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. A valid driving licence and own transport, or an alternative suitable method of travel, is an essential condition. Applicants must have full permission to work in the UK; sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

• Relevant Level 4 qualification or equivalent experience in participation, engagement, safeguarding, service improvement or a related field.
• Experience of using the voices and lived experiences of children and families, or lived experience, participation or engagement approaches, to influence professional practice, services, service development or improvement activity.
• Experience of coordinating projects, initiatives or service improvement activity.
• Experience of working within safeguarding, children’s services or a multi-agency environment.
• Ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively with a wide range of professionals, partners and communities.
• Strong communication, planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to think strategically and turn feedback into meaningful improvement.
• Confidence working independently and collaboratively across organisations.
• Creativity, initiative and a solutions-focused approach.
• Valid driving licence and own transport, or ability to provide an alternative suitable method of travel.
• Full permission to work in the UK.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• Experience of quality assurance, audit, review or service improvement activity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and embedding of the NSSCP Participation and Lived Experience Model across the safeguarding partnership.
• Improve opportunities for children and families to participate in shaping safeguarding services and influencing change.
• Build effective relationships with safeguarding partners across education, health, police, social care and the voluntary sector.
• Use participation findings and lived experience evidence to influence safeguarding policy, practice and service improvement.
• Coordinate participation and engagement activity across partner agencies.
• Support the effective use of lived experience within partnership governance, quality assurance and improvement activity.
• Support partner agencies to strengthen participation and co-production approaches within their services.

Benefits

• 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 of annual leave each year.
• Dedicated in-house Wellbeing Team.
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed