Voice and Influence Worker

Directorate: Children & Young People Services

Permanent, Full time, 37 hours per week

Children and young people are experts in their own lives. They know what matters to them, what support works best, and how services can make a real difference. At the heart of our approach is a commitment to ensuring children and young people are active partners in shaping the services they receive.

We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Voice and Influence Worker to join our growing Voice and Influence Team. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference by championing children's rights, promoting participation, and ensuring that the voices of children and young people are heard, valued, and acted upon.

As a Voice and Influence Worker, you will be part of a small, dedicated team, reporting directly to the Team Manager. You will work directly with children, young people, parents and carers through individual and group-based approaches, helping them express their views, wishes and experiences.

You will support children and young people to have their voices heard in meetings, forums, consultations and strategic discussions, ensuring their lived experiences shape service development and improvement.

This is a varied and rewarding role that requires confidence, creativity and a strong commitment to participation and empowerment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Building positive relationships with children and young people and supporting them to share their views and experiences.
• Working directly with children, parents and carers, through one-to-one sessions, group work and participation activities.
• Representing and promoting the voice of children and young people at meetings, forums and events.
• Supporting and challenging services using evidence gathered from children's experiences and feedback.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues, partner agencies and community organisations to ensure children's voices are embedded across services.
• Leading and supporting consultation activities, engagement events and participation projects.
• Supporting key participation groups, including:
• Children in Care Group
• Care Experienced Group
• Young Inspectors Programme
• Youth Cabinet
• Children “in touch” with services.
• Providing advocacy support to Children in Care.
• Supporting the recruitment, training and retention of Independent Volunteers.
• Working with parents and carers to promote and strengthen children's participation.
• Contributing to activity days, campaigns, celebrations and special events.
• Connecting with participation groups across Early Help and Universal Services to ensure representation from all children and young people.
• Helping children and young people influence decision-making at local, regional and national levels.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about children's rights, participation and empowerment.
• Has experience of working directly with children and young people.
• Can demonstrate excellent communication and engagement skills.
• Is confident facilitating groups and building positive relationships.
• Has the ability to advocate for children and ensure their voices are represented effectively.
• Can work collaboratively across agencies and professional networks.
• Is creative, enthusiastic and committed to improving outcomes for children and young people.
• Understands the importance of co-production and meaningful participation.
• Can identify both strengths and areas for development through listening to children's experiences.

To learn more about the post or for an informal conversation please email joanne.hacking@rotherham.gov.uk

Interviews planned for the 12th or the 13th of October 2026.

This post involves working with children/ adults and therefore if successful you will be required to apply for a disclosure of criminal records check at an enhanced level. Further information about the Disclosure Scheme can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. For further information, please visit our website.