Children's Champion

Job Title: Children’s Champion 

Reports to: Head of Children, Young People and Families  

Hours: Full-Time

Salary: £30,000 

Main Purpose of Position: 

Are you passionate about young people and ensuring everyone has equitable access to opportunity? Do you have a vibrant energy and experience to bring to our families and children? Then we could be looking for you to join our Family Programme team in a rewarding and flexible role, supporting children and families within our community to challenge inequality, overcome barriers to inclusion and promote equal opportunities for success.  

This role provides the opportunity to significantly improve the life chances and outcomes for children and young people who join Nova, specifically those who have been affected by Grenfell. It will involve supporting our children and young people to be connected with a range of developmental opportunities enabling them to thrive. It will also involve organising and delivering regular consultations with the children and young people to ensure they are being listened to and that their views influence local services and development.  

You will undertake the role of Children’s Champion, to support, advocate for and empower our children and young people, with responsibility for our Nova Youth group of young people who have been affected by Grenfell. You will work closely with this group to help their voices be heard, whether to improve our service or celebrate their achievements. You will plan and deliver a range of personal development activities and opportunities for young people including workshops, training, information sharing and other out of school activities. 

You will also support the wider work of the Family Programme, supporting a range of termtime and holiday activities, trips and visits with young people and their families in our North Kensington community and beyond. 

At all times, you will ensure the welfare and safeguarding of your groups and provide a fun, engaging and exciting experience for our families, making sure everyone is included. You will make appropriate travel and meeting arrangements and handle the administration of ticketing as required, ensuring that activities are accessible. 

The successful applicant will be reliable, organised, sociable and enjoy working with children and families. You will have direct experience of working within a safe and inclusive environment and the ability to motivate and encourage individuals to achieve their goals. Experience of working in partnership and the ability to form strong working relationships with individuals and key partners is essential.  

Main duties and responsibilities 

• Undertake a range of duties as Children’s Champion for a group of children and young people who are connected with Nova New Opportunities 

• To be a member of Nova New Opportunities support staff and assist in the everyday support of care, education and individual needs of children and young people 

• To develop and maintain good working relationships with parents and other family members, social workers, school staff and other professionals with a concern for the children and young people’s needs such as GPs or psychologists 

• To ensure that the children and young people carry as much responsibility for their own lives as they can reasonably and demonstratively be expected to carry, keeping them informed of their circumstances and rights – involving them in planning their lives, supporting and helping them towards taking greater control and responsibility 

• To contribute to the efficient and effective running of the wider Family Programme team, helping to provide a supportive relationship to all children and young people engaged with Nova New Opportunities and ensure they are provided with opportunities to achieve their full potential 

• To support the wider delivery of Family Programme activities, trips, visits and opportunities as required 

• To inform the strategic development of the Family Programme for children and young people   

• To maintain high standards in youth provision and to be flexible in adapting to meet the children’s needs 

• To maintain professional knowledge and skills through training, reading and reflective practice 

• Engage participants and promote programme internally and externally  

• To undertake one-to-one sessions with children and young people as a befriender or mentor and advisor 

• Talk with and listen to young people, be alert to signs of distress or abuse and ensure young people are monitored and protected 

• To safeguard and promote the welfare of the children and young people 

• To record all activity, monitor outcomes and deliver accurate reporting using our management systems 

• To work in accordance with the professional practice, statutory and legal requirements and the policies of Nova and ensure that all activities are risk assessed 

• To identify and engage new partners and supporters 

• To take on specific tasks related to the day-to-day administration and organisation of the support work undertaken 

Responsibilities: General 

• Encourage and maintain links between staff and volunteers, keeping a good flow of information and communication 

• Maintain a general working knowledge of the activities of the organisation 

• Maintain professional and technical knowledge 

• Undertake any other duties as may from time to time be required 

• Provide training for other members of staff/ volunteers when necessary 

• Be open and responsive, working in a collaborative way with other staff members to create and implement the systems, policies and procedures outlined above and develop the organisation 

• Work within Nova’s Equality and Diversity Policy through personal example, open commitment and clear action, ensuring fair treatment in employment, service delivery and external communications 

• Adhere to Nova’s policies and procedures on confidentiality and the management and sharing of information and to work within the established policies and practices of Nova 

• Ensure the maintenance of a safe working environment 

Skills and Attributes 

• Experience of youth and community or family support work is essential 

• Experience of working with adults or young people with SEN (Special Educational Needs)/ ASN (Additional Support Needs) is desirable 

• Committed to equality and diversity 

• Resilient with a flexible, ‘can-do’ approach to work 

• A team player and able to build rapport and engage with a diverse range of people 

• Confident and compassionate 

• Organised and IT literate 

• Ability to work in a high-pressured environment 

• Confident public speaker 

• Experience in risk assessment and safeguarding  

• Experience in project management and reporting 

Legal Requirements w

• Eligibility to live and work in the UK 

• Enhanced DBS Disclosure 

To apply: Please submit your CV and a covering letter. 

This role involves direct work with children and vulnerable adults. As part of our Safeguarding Policy, you will be asked to explain any gaps in your work and education history. You will be required to undertake an Enhanced Check with the Disclosure and Barring Service and provide the contact details of at least 2 referees, who will be asked specifically if they have any concerns about your suitability to work with people under 18. Evidence of eligibility to work in the UK must be provided at interview stage.