Youth Participation Worker

Job description

Job description

Fixed Term for 2 years initially, but has potential for extension, subject to funding and service need.

Full Time 37 hours per week

About the Role

We are looking for an exceptional Youth Participation Worker to amplify the voices of some of Devon's most vulnerable and marginalised children and young people.

The post will work across Devon Youth Justice Service (YJS), LINKS and YSMART, supporting children whose lives are often impacted by significant adversity, trauma and risk.

Devon Youth Justice Service (YJS) works with children who have entered the youth justice system or are at risk of doing so, helping them achieve positive outcomes whilst preventing further offending.

LINKS supports adolescents who are experiencing harm outside the home, including child criminal exploitation, child sexual exploitation, serious youth violence, missing episodes and other complex safeguarding concerns.

YSMART provides support for young people affected by substance use and related vulnerabilities, helping them reduce harm and make positive choices.

The children and young people supported by these services often face multiple and interconnected challenges, including trauma, abuse, exploitation, family breakdown, school exclusion, mental health difficulties, substance use, offending behaviour and involvement in serious violence. Many have experienced repeated involvement with statutory services and may be reluctant to engage or share their views.

This is not a desk-based participation role. Success requires energy, persistence, creativity and determination. You will need to find innovative ways to build relationships, earn trust and create meaningful opportunities for young people to influence the services designed to support them. At times, engaging with young people may require considerable patience, flexibility and tenacity.

Your work will ensure that children's voices are heard, valued and used to improve practice, policy and service delivery across Devon.

Key Responsibilities

• Build trusted relationships with children and young people across YJS, LINKS and YSMART.
• Develop and deliver creative participation activities, both individually and in groups.
• Design innovative approaches to engage young people who may be reluctant to participate through traditional methods.
• Lead consultation, co-production and engagement activities that actively shape service development.
• Ensure children's views, experiences and ideas influence decision-making at both operational and strategic levels.
• Capture and communicate the lived experiences of young people to professionals, managers and strategic leaders.
• Work collaboratively with social care, education, health, police and voluntary sector partners.
• Promote Child First, trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches throughout your work.
• Support children and young people to develop confidence, influence and a sense of belonging within their communities.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working with vulnerable adolescents facing multiple and complex needs.
• Can engage young people who may be resistant, distrustful or difficult to reach.
• Is highly creative and able to develop innovative approaches to participation and engagement.
• Understands the impact of trauma, exploitation, substance use, offending behaviour and contextual safeguarding risks.
• Is passionate about children's rights, participation and co-production.
• Is resilient, adaptable and able to work flexibly in response to the needs of young people.
• Can build strong relationships with children, families and professionals.
• Has excellent communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills.
• Believes that every child deserves to be heard and has the potential to thrive.
• A full driving licence and access to a car is useful for this role which involves meeting young people across the County

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of services for some of Devon's most vulnerable young people.

You will:

• Champion the voices of children and young people whose experiences are often overlooked.
• Help shape services that respond more effectively to exploitation, harm and adversity.
• Work across innovative adolescent and youth justice services.
• Be part of a passionate and committed team dedicated to improving outcomes for children.
• Make a genuine difference to the lives of young people and communities across Devon.

If you are passionate about participation, believe in the power of children's voices, and have the creativity and determination to engage those who are often hardest to reach, we would love to hear from you.

Our offer to you

Working for Devon County Council (DCC) has all the benefits that you can expect from a large employer.

In return for the vital contribution that you make, we offer:

• 26 days annual leave per year (rising with length of service) plus Bank Holidays effective from 1 April 2024.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme - more information can be found on the Peninsula Pensions website.
• Access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme - available 24/7 to support you with personal and work life.
• Flexible working opportunities, including home-working (subject to the needs of the role).
• Discounts from local and high street retailers through the Devon Discounts scheme.

For an informal discussion please contact [email protected]

Interview Date: 09/11/2026

How to apply

Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in the person specification of the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.

Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.

Please click here to see the Job Description

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages .
• For details on the use of AI in applications and Devon County Council's use of AI in Recruitment please see Use of AI in Our Recruitment Processes - Working for Devon | Devon County Council
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice .
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page .
• We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required. For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
• This role requires a DBS disclosure.