*Internal Applicants Only*

Salary: £33,366 - £34,314 per annum
Hours: 37 per week
Location: West Cumbria House, Workington
Contract: Permanent

About this opportunity

Cumberland Council are looking for a dynamic and empathetic Participation Officer to support youth voice initiatives across the region. In this exciting role, you’ll lead and deliver youth engagement projects such as Youth Councils, UK Youth Parliament, and SEND forums - ensuring young people are actively involved in shaping the services that affect them.

We’re looking for someone with experience in youth work or a related field, who understands participation frameworks and can build strong, respectful relationships with young people.

You’ll need to be flexible, as the role includes evening and weekend work, and confident working both independently and as part of a wider team. Join us in creating inclusive spaces where young people feel empowered, valued, and inspired to make a difference.

Cumberland Council is proud to hold an Ofsted rating of 'Good’ for our Children’s Services, demonstrating our dedication and strong commitment to providing high-quality services for children and families. Ofsted recognised that staff unanimously report a ‘real buzz about working in Cumberland’ and that they feel ‘energised, valued and listened to’, observing that ‘leaders have established a strong Cumberland identity that staff can be proud of’.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for individuals who embody our organisation's core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change, deliver excellent public services and shape a better future for our communities.

We’re also about potential over perfection and we can help you grow in the role and thrive in your career.

Be sure to take a look at the post specification (below) for the essential criteria for this role.

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Nikki Donaldson by email at nikki.donaldson@cumbria.gov.uk.

DBS Checks

This role requires a DBS check. The level of check for this role is: Enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check.

Please note this role involves working in regulated activity with adults and/or Children. It is an offence for people who are barred from working in regulated activity to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with adults and/or Children.

Guaranteed Interviews
We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
• Armed forces veterans whose last long term substantive employer was the armed forces

If you meet one or more of the criteria above, and wish to be considered for this scheme, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application. Find out more.

Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments
We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Employer and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing Resourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Application and Interview information
Closing date: 11^th June 2025
Interview date: 18^th June 2025

Please read the supporting information:

Post Specification

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