Job Introduction
Bradford Children and Families Trust was established in April 2023 to enhance the quality and delivery of Children’s Services across our district. Our purpose is clear, to ensure that our promise to improve the lives of children and young people in Bradford becomes a reality. It’s a tough ask. It requires dedication, determination, and resilience – but under a new Chief Executive, Senior Leadership team and an unswerving drive to deliver the best outcomes, we are confident that we’ll achieve our ambition – and you, yours.
So, if you’re up for the Challenge we’d love to hear from you!
About The Role
The Voice and Influence Lead will provide positive, dynamic leadership and be a champion for children, parents, and carers voice and influence. On behalf of children and families the post holder will lead on embedding the voice and influence of children, parents and carers into strategy policy and practice. The post holder will work in partnership with Bradford Children and Families Trust Senior Leadership teams to develop and implement our strategic approach to voice and influence.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead on the strategic, operational management, development, and direction of Voice and Influence of children, parents and carers with Bradford Children and Families Trust.
- To lead on embedding the voice and influence of children, young people, parents and carers into strategy policy and practice in Bradford Children and Families Trust.
- To work with the Senior Leadership team to embed and drive voice and influence into corporate strategy and policy.
- To lead on building skills, confidence and awareness of professionals of how to enable children and young people to have a voice and influence, working in partnership with the wider children’s services and the training unit for workforce development.
- Lead on coordination of and engagement initiatives/activities across Bradford Children and Families Trust.
- Lead on identifying and developing approaches and resources needed to ensure that the voices and influence of children, young people and their families is embedded in Bradford Children and Families Trust.
- Ensure that processes encourage and develop two-way communication across Bradford Children and Families Trust.
- Ensure that effective systems are developed and sustained to communicate the function and role of the team.
- Represent Bradford Children and Families Trust regionally and nationally at events and forums focusing on strategic developments around the participation of children, parents, and carers.
About You
- Appropriate professional qualification or equivalent knowledge gained through experience within the service area.
- The ability to apply knowledge and expertise to plan and enable the highest levels and standards in the delivery of work across either a specialist area(s) or an entire service
- Comprehensive knowledge of local, regional and national issues, which influence Bradford and the Trust’s strategy, practice and services.
- Must demonstrate strong leadership and management skills to develop a high-performance culture across the service where everyone can achieve their potential.
- Evidence of a high performing, engaged and productive workforce along with effective leadership and management that leads to solution focussed and quality outcomes
- Experience in Leading, developing and managing partnerships and/or complex programme/project/change environments with a variety of stakeholders. Work effectively with partners to deliver cross service projects, thinking and acting creatively to facilitate the delivery of innovative change and new ways of working
- Develop and maintain constructive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders to develop and deliver integrated, high quality responsive services that have a positive impact for children, families and carers, influencing the strategic direction of the service; identifying, agreeing and developing service improvement projects that reflect changing priorities
- Use visible, effective and supportive leadership and management skills that engages, develops and encourages talent, supports adaptable ways of working and creates strong more flexible teams
List of Benefits:
- Generous Employer Contributions in a Local Government Pension Scheme
- Competitive salary and pay progression structure.
- Real living wage as the minimum rate of pay
- Supportive carer and parental policies
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services
- Supportive staff networks
- Access to Blue Light Card Discounts
- Professional development/support
- Enhanced annual leave entitlement
- Flexible Working/Hybrid options subject to service need
Next Steps
For any queries or if you would like an informal conversation about the role and the trust, please contact Helen Cliffe on Helen.Cliffe@bradfordcft.org.uk or 07582101083
Closing date: 29th June 2025
Interview date: 9th July 2025
Recruiter Contact Details: Kasem.khan@bradfordcft.org.uk
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
