Head of Youth Engagement and Participation

The Head of Youth Engagement & Participation is a key senior leadership role at Peer Power Youth. Responsible for leading the youth engagement team (YET) across all aspects of safe and supported youth engagement (individual change) and ensuring youth voices contribute to tangible and meaningful system change (participation/system change).

It’s a great time to join Peer Power Youth! We have recently secured key funding to strengthen and develop the charity and deepen our impact for system change and positive change for young people. During 2024 we will be co-creating an ambitious new strategy and vision ahead for 2025 –2030. You can play a key role in shaping and delivering this with us as part of our valued community that spans young partners, trustees, advisory forum and our staff team.

Our model of youth engagement and participation has been co-created by young people and consists of:

• Personal development/Peer to Professional (life skills/training/work readiness) offer – creating Individual Change

• Youth Voice and Influence projects– creating tangible System Change

• Training, Coaching, and Workshops that are designed and delivered by young partners for professionals in justice, care and health settings. Along with resources to support System Change

Partnerships include NHS (regional and national), Youth Justice Board, Ministry of Justice/Youth Custody Service, HMI Probation, Youth Justice Services, youth and community organisations and secure settings. The Head of Youth Engagement and Participation will directly line manage 4-5 senior staff members but holds the overall responsibility for the Youth Engagement Team.

The Young Partners we engage and connect with, have experience of justice and care/looked after systems. We work across London and Southeast regions, with occasional national events. Our work takes place in the community and in secure settings (examples include -HMYOI Feltham, Oasis Restore Secure School, and Secure Children’s Homes).