About Adolescent Health Study
The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) (Registered Charity Number 1213337) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people aged eight to 18 years from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records.
There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.
Purpose of the post
The Engagement and Involvement Officer will play a central role in supporting meaningful engagement and involvement of young people, families, schools and other interest-holders in the process of designing, delivering and ensuring the best outputs from the Adolescent Health Study.
Primarily, the postholder will be responsible for the stewardship and coordination of the AHS Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG). The post-holder will provide ongoing support to YPAG members to ensure their active participation in opportunities to inform and shape the work of AHS. This will include working closely with the adults in the YPAG members’ lives, including parents/carers, teachers and other relevant adults or professionals. The postholder will also be required to build positive working relationships with other organisations and institutions that work directly with young people. They will support the Engagement and Involvement Lead to develop mechanisms to reach wider and more diverse groups of young people to take part in engagement and involvement activities at AHS.
This is a role that requires confidence, autonomy, enthusiasm and skill. The post-holder will be a strong advocate for children’s rights, have a sound working knowledge and understanding of safeguarding practices, and demonstrate experience of co-ordinating youth advisory groups, youth councils or similar.
Main responsibilities
Coordination & facilitation
- Plan, organise, and deliver regular meetings, workshops, and consultation sessions with young people.
- Develop accessible, inclusive and engaging materials to support young people’s participation in activities and discussions.
- Ensure robust mechanisms are in place to facilitate a feedback loop, communicating to young people the impact of their input.
- Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing, and inclusion are embedded in all activities.
- Lead on and maintain communication with young people, parents/carers (where appropriate), and partner organisations.
Support for young people
- Provide guidance, pastoral support, and clear information to help young people take part confidently and safely.
- Facilitate training and development opportunities to build young people’s skills, knowledge, and confidence.
- Foster an environment where young people feel respected, valued, and listened to.
- Manage mechanisms for reward and recognition of young people’s input and contributions.
Strengthen and enable staff team
- Strengthen knowledge and understanding of youth engagement and involvement across the organisation.
- Enable the wider staff team to plan and conduct activities with the YPAG and wider groups of young people, supporting the design of involvement tasks that are age-appropriate, inclusive, and aligned with best practice.
- Provide feedback to colleagues on how to maximise the impact of youth involvement.
Administration & governance
- Manage recruitment and onboarding processes for YPAG members.
- Oversee consent processes, data handling, and safeguarding requirements.
- Coordinate payments, incentives, travel, and expenses for young people.
- Maintain accurate records, produce meeting notes, and ensure timely communication.
- Support the Engagement and Involvement Lead to track, document and report on outcomes and the influence of young people’s involvement on projects and workstreams.
Continuous learning and development
- Contribute to the development of the organisation’s engagement and involvement strategy.
- Contribute to the evaluation of engagement and involvement activities and gather feedback from young people, parents/carers and other relevant parties we work closely with.
- Maintain an interest and working knowledge of best practice in youth involvement, participation, and co‑production.
- Identify opportunities to share learning and reflections with the AHS team and wider colleagues to continuously improve practice and processes.
Interest-holder and partner engagement
- Build and maintain partnerships with schools, youth organisations, and community groups to recruit and support young people to engage in engagement and involvement activities.
- Provide verbal and written presentations of engagement and involvement work with young people to internal and external audiences.
- Represent AHS in meetings, workshops and events where appropriate.
Knowledge, skills and experience
Essential criteria
- Experience developing and delivering engagement and involvement activities with young people and other relevant interest-holders (such as parents, families, teachers and schools).
- A proven track record or professional background in working with young people – such as in youth work, counselling, mentoring, education, or a related setting.
- Strong facilitation and communication skills, especially with young audiences.
- Understanding and experience of good practice in youth engagement and involvement, including the principles and implementation of safeguarding, data protection, and inclusive practice.
- Experience of co-ordinating a youth advisory group, council, board or similar structure
- Ability to work autonomously, prioritising tasks and manage own workload.
- Ability to design and deliver workshops, focus groups or meetings that encourage open dialogue and collaboration.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills - able to communicate effectively and confidently with a range of stakeholders and to summarise and report key information clearly and accurately, both verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrated commitment to children’s rights, youth participation and the meaningful inclusion of young people’s views and perspectives.
- Confidence using online meeting tools (e.g. MS Teams, Zoom), and collaborative platforms (e.g. SharePoint, Microsoft 365).
Desirable criteria
- Relevant qualification in youth participation, youth work, community engagement or similar.
- Understanding of public involvement in research or willingness to develop expertise.
- Understanding of key concepts and challenges in young people’s health and wellbeing and the transition to adulthood.
- Understanding and knowledge of key potential partners across the UK for delivering youth engagement in the sector.
- Experience using digital engagement and facilitation tools for online sessions (e.g. Miro, Mural, Mentimeter, Canva, PowerPoint).
Dimensions
- This has been designed as a full-time role, although part-time work could be considered for the right candidate.
- Flexible working may be required across several geographical locations in the UK. Travel may be necessary to various AHS locations and partner organisations.
- Willingness to work hours flexibly including some evenings/weekends.
Additional Information
- Enhanced DBS/PVG or equivalent safeguarding check will be required.
Application Process
This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available). Please apply with a CV and a covering letter (of no more than two pages) explaining what you can bring to this role, and including your current salary.
The closing date for this position is midnight on End of Day Sunday 29 March.
Interviews are currently expected to be held during the weeks commencing 27 April and 05 May.
Equal Opportunities Policy Statement
AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Beyond these protected characteristics, we acknowledge the importance of socio-economic background, childcare and caring responsibilities, educational background, neurodiversity, and any other factors that shape an individual’s identity and opportunities. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully.
Values
It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team and begin to plan the pilot studies. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.
Thank you!
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The National Youth Agency is looking for a Learning & Development Officer.
Learning and Development Officer
Contract: Fixed-term, 6 months
Hours: Full-time – 37 hours per week
Salary: £36,050 per annum
Location: Home-based in England with occasional travel for meetings, workshops, and team activities. Head Office is in Leicester.
What we do
As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.
We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work.
About the Role
This role sits within the team responsible for the professional, statutory and regulatory elements of youth work. You will support delivery of youth work curriculum projects, learning activity, and development of high-quality practical tools and materials that help create the conditions for great youth work.
The role exists to provide operational delivery and coordination, enabling the National Curriculum & Learning Manager to focus on strategic development, leadership and quality assurance.
You will be joining an agile, flexible, and collaborative team who work at pace, engaging partners and stakeholders to support youth work across England. Your role will contribute to the improvement and development of learning resources and approaches.
Key Responsibilities
As a Learning & Development Officer, you will support:
- Delivery of local youth work curriculum commissions, from inception to completion.
- Coordination of curriculum-related events and training, including train-the-trainer sessions and stakeholder workshops.
- Development, adaptation and refinement of learning and development tools, templates, and materials.
- Gathering and organising insight, learning and feedback to inform curriculum improvement.
- Drafting, adapting, and maintaining curriculum content aligned to national standards and local context.
- Preparing agendas, notes and follow-up actions for workshops, inception calls and meetings.
- Supporting approaches to demonstrating and evidencing impact.
Note: This role does not hold budget, strategic ownership, or line management responsibility.
Why Work for NYA?
- NYA operates as a people-focused organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
- NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
- A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
- NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
- We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.
Closing date: 11.59pm on Friday 20th March 2026
N.B. Please apply ASAP as we may close applications early once we have a substantial amount of suitable applicants.
Interested?
If you would like to apply and find out more about this position, please click the apply button to be directed to our website.
The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.
At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.
We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.
Please note: We use AI detector software, so applications or CV’s with high levels of AI generated content may be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance.
No agencies please.
Thank you!
Please note: Clinks would welcome the opportunity to discuss potential secondments from locally or regionally based voluntary organisations.
About Us
Clinks supports, promotes and represents the voluntary sector working with people in the criminal justice system and their families. Our vision is of a vibrant, independent and resilient voluntary sector that enables people to transform their lives.
Job purpose
To identify, communicate and engage with the range of voluntary sector organisations working with individuals and their families within the CJS across a geographical area ensuring Clinks provides effective support to help voluntary organisations better meet their aims. To enable Clinks to share information about the sector with HMPPS and other stakeholders
Job summary
This role will increase awareness and understanding of the criminal justice voluntary sector operating within across the Midlands area. The post holder will undertake an initial analysis project to identify place-based voluntary sector organisations and the range of, and types of services and support provided to people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families. They will identify place-based needs and lead on the collation and sharing of information across the Clinks team and with stakeholders, to highlight the challenges and opportunities. The post holder will need to build new, and nurture existing relationships, with key partners and a range of agencies across sectors.
The post will work within the Area Engagement & Partnerships Directorate and with other Clinks’ staff to identify new members and engagement opportunities, deliver events and training, and provide opportunities to support the capacity and capability needs of the voluntary sector, with a focus on place-based small and specialist organisations working in the CJS.
The post will deliver activity to meet funder requirements, aims and objectives.
Reports to: Area Engagement and Partnerships Manager
Responsible for: N/A
1. Duties and key responsibilities
Area Engagement and Impact
- Identify and increase awareness of voluntary sector organisations based in the Midlands, the range of and types of services and support provided to people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families, where they deliver and how they are funded.
- Understand the work of local and regional voluntary sector infrastructure organisations in a geographical area to identify and increase partnership working and collaborative approaches to strengthen the support offered by Clinks,
- Gather intelligence from the sector to identify and understand the needs of place-based organisations and share feedback with HMPPS and other key stakeholders to develop operational processes and influence future commissioning opportunities.
- Work alongside the National Influencing & Networks team to use this intelligence to influence key decision making at a local and national level.
- Provide support to voluntary sector organisations, keeping the sector informed and up to date and capturing the support provided and its impact.
- Respond to requests from voluntary sector organisations in need of support and signpost or consider what assistance Clinks (and others) can provide.
- Work alongside the Area Insights and Impact Officer to capture the needs of the sector to influence and inform future activity.
- Provide regular area specific communications to organisations utilising Clinks communication channels to share good practice, resources and publications.
- Produce regular blogs, case studies and social media activity to showcase the work of place-based voluntary sector organisations.
- Develop and build upon existing place-based networks to support collaboration and co-ordination between the voluntary, statutory, and private sectors in the criminal justice system.
- Provide information to help statutory partners and key stakeholders to understand the voluntary sector, its structures and how to work with it.
External Relationships
- Identify and explore opportunities to develop relationships with area-specific agencies working within criminal justice including Probation, Prisons and local statutory agencies to increase knowledge of locally based voluntary sector services and establish, and embed Clinks’ support
- Provide representation at various meetings, both internally and externally with partners and stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively to ensure effective information flow across directorates and to and from the sector and stakeholders
- Develop relationships with regional and local infrastructure organisations to widen Clinks reach and identify joint working opportunities.
2. General responsibilities
- Represent and be an ambassador for Clinks
- Work to support the mission, ethos, and values of Clinks
- Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop, or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position
- Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace
- Work collaboratively with others in all aspects of our work
This job description does not form part of your contract of employment and can be amended from time to time as the needs of the organisation require.
Person specification
Experience, Skills and Abilities
- Significant experience of working or volunteering in the voluntary sector in the Midlands area
- Relationship building and management with a range of stakeholders and networks.
- Good attention to detail and ability to maintain effective records, utilising a range of different methods.
- Ability to think strategically about the voluntary criminal justice sector, and to analyse and respond to change.
- Ability to prioritise, multi-task and work under pressure, juggling a busy and varied workload.
- Excellent IT and digital skills, including use of Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams and Zoom.
- Adaptability and flexibility in being able to deal with new situations quickly and efficiently.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and spoken, and ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders, at all levels of seniority.
- Convening meetings, arranging and chairing events both in-person and online.
- Ability to support and coordinate a complex network of organisations including representing diverse views, and promoting their work and issues.
- A collaborative approach to working with colleagues but also able to work alone.
- Highly organised with good project and time management skills.
Knowledge
- Role of the voluntary sector in addressing social exclusion.
- The criminal justice context and related policy.
- Understanding the role of national and local infrastructure organisations
- An understanding of the Midlands geographical area
Personal attributes and other requirements
- Able to travel extensively across the Midlands area with occasional travel across England and Wales.
- Able to work evenings and weekends and stay away from home overnight where necessary.
- Work well as part of a small team and independently, with a flexible approach to work.
- Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.
- Commitment to the values and ethos of supporting people in the criminal justice system
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Clinks is the national infrastructure charity dedicated to supporting voluntary organisations working with people in the criminal justice system
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.