Job Description

About the role

This is your opportunity to join our fantastic, child-centred advocacy service. We have 2 posts available which will offer you the opportunity to work with all children in receipt of services from Northamptonshire Children's Trust - from safeguarding, through to care experienced young people.


Distinct and independent of case-holding, you will complete direct work with children and young people, making sure their views and wishes are represented, and their voice is heard; this includes attending Child Protection Conferences for / with them and making sure that every child who makes a complaint has the opportunity to be supported throughout its duration.


You will be working within a small team, hours are generally Monday - Friday 09.00-17.30; you may be required to work outside of working hours (evening/weekends) to undertake your role or support Participation and Engagement or the Independent Visitors colleagues to meet the needs of the service.

There are two roles available; one full-time post (37 hours), one part-time post (18.5 hours) however, we are flexible and we are willing to consider a job share with the combined hours.

We welcome the opportunity to speak to any interested candidates, please feel free to email: Samantha.Linton@nctrust.co.uk to agree a mutually agreeable time to call you.


What will you be doing?

You will provide individual advice to children and young people to ensure good practice, that their rights are recognised and that they are not being treated unfairly.


Supporting young people with preparing for Child in Care reviews, Child Protection Conferences Review or other meetings they may need to attend, ensuring they are well informed and prepared.


Deliver workshops, conferences and taking part in recruitment selection panels.


Collaborate with colleagues from both the Independent Visitors Service and Participation and Engagement; support with recruitment, training, consultation processes and activities.



We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.


About you

You hold a relevant qualification in Youth Work, Diploma in Social Work or significant experience of working in the wider children's workforce. You are experienced in working with young people one to one or in small groups. You understand the issues facing young people in society and the boundaries of confidentiality. You find creative ways to empower young people to express their views and have their say. You communicate effectively and are able to mediate with openness and honesty with both professionals and the children represented. You will need to have access to transport as this role requires travel both in and out of county.


When applying please ensure your supporting statement covers how you fulfil the essential criteria set out in the person specification as this will be used for shortlisting. You will need to provide a full employment history including any gaps since leaving full time education


About us

At Northamptonshire Children's Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do - in every decision we make and every action we take. Our mission is driven by the unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them. The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils.


Our workforce are our most valuable asset and are pivotal to making the services and support we offer to children, young people and families who need us to be the absolute best we can be.


We value our colleagues and empower them to be able to do the best job of their lives every single day, working in a culture of support and kindness where achievements are celebrated and creativity is very much welcomed.


At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation. We are a disability confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria.


Join our dedicated team and be a part of an organisation where your work makes a real difference.




Our benefits

We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do.


We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:

28 days annual leave,

plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days, after 5 years

Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover

(3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health pension protection.

Opportunity to purchase

up to 25 days annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

- We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.

Employee discounts

with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.

Flexible and family working arrangements

including enhanced maternity benefits

A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team

where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions Extensive Learning & Development and

career development

opportunities *

Subsidised

town centre car parking scheme