Participation Officer

Vac Description

Full time: 37 Hours per Week
Salary: £33149.62 per annum, Band 2 SP 29 on Cognus pay scales
Location: Cognus Office Cantium House, Wallington

Cognus is seeking a passionate and proactive Participation Officer to lead the operational delivery of our Participation Strategy for Children Looked After and care-experienced young adults. This pivotal role will ensure that the voices, experiences, and aspirations of young people are embedded across the London Borough of Sutton’s Corporate Parenting Partnership. If you’re ready to champion meaningful engagement, influence policy and practice, and build vibrant platforms for youth voice — we want to hear from you.

The successful candidate will bring proven experience of working directly with children and young people, particularly those with care experience, in both group and one-to-one settings. They will be confident in leading participation activities, coordinating events, and working collaboratively with partner agencies to deliver meaningful engagement opportunities. With a strong understanding of safeguarding, risk assessment, and inclusive practice, they will be skilled at building trusted relationships with young people from diverse backgrounds, while also providing appropriate challenge and influence at all levels of leadership. The ideal candidate will be highly organised, self-motivated, and able to work flexibly — including school holidays and occasional evenings and weekends — to ensure young people’s voices are consistently heard and acted upon.

About the Role and Our Ideal Candidate

Full time: 37 Hours per Week
Salary: £33149.62 per annum, Band 2 SP 29 on Cognus pay scales
Location: Cognus Office Cantium House, Wallington

Cognus is seeking a passionate and proactive Participation Officer to lead the operational delivery of our Participation Strategy for Children Looked After and care-experienced young adults. This pivotal role will ensure that the voices, experiences, and aspirations of young people are embedded across the London Borough of Sutton’s Corporate Parenting Partnership. If you’re ready to champion meaningful engagement, influence policy and practice, and build vibrant platforms for youth voice — we want to hear from you.

The successful candidate will bring proven experience of working directly with children and young people, particularly those with care experience, in both group and one-to-one settings. They will be confident in leading participation activities, coordinating events, and working collaboratively with partner agencies to deliver meaningful engagement opportunities. With a strong understanding of safeguarding, risk assessment, and inclusive practice, they will be skilled at building trusted relationships with young people from diverse backgrounds, while also providing appropriate challenge and influence at all levels of leadership. The ideal candidate will be highly organised, self-motivated,
and able to work flexibly — including school holidays and occasional evenings and weekends — to ensure young people’s voices are consistently heard and acted upon.