Job Introduction
Voice and Influence Officer
This is hybrid-working role, with at least 2 days per work based in Sir Henry Mitchell House or other office locations in Bradford District.
Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with great people who are passionate about delivering change in a district whose culture offers as much diversity as it’s geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.
We are fully committed to equal opportunities, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
About the Role
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who is passionate about working directly with care experienced children and young people to ensure their voices are heard and their ideas and feedback can influence and shape the support that children in care and care leavers receive in Bradford District.
As part of the Voice & Influence Team, you will be a champion and advocate for youth voice and children’s rights, supporting children and young people to co-produce social action projects, activities and campaigns. You will be responsible for the ongoing delivery of the Children in Care Council and Care Leavers Council groups– including recruiting and supporting new members to get involved.
You’ll also:
- Work with teams and services across education, health and children’s social care to develop opportunities for children and young people to influence change
- Use your creativity to develop new and inclusive ways of empowering children in care and care leavers to have their voices heard and acted on.
- Build relationships with teams and services by attending a range of working groups and meetings to amplify the views of the children and young people you support
- Plan and deliver events, workshops, and focus groups with and for care experienced children and young people.
- Support the delivery of training opportunities to a range of teams and services
- Contribute to the creation of reports, newsletters and promotional recruitment materials
- Attend regional youth voice meetings and events
Our strategic vision and values are upheld across the Trust, fostering a reliable and supportive environment for both staff and the children in our care.
This role will align with our organisational values and is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.
To be successful in this role you will need:
- Experience of working directly with children and young people, and the ability to build positive youth-work relationships with them.
- Experience of planning and delivering events, workshops and activities with and for children and young people
- An outgoing personality, creativity and the brilliant communication skills needed to recruit and engage children and young people in voluntary youth action projects
- An understanding of the barriers that prevent some children and young people from getting involved, and the issues they may face within the social care system
- Excellent organisation and administrative skills; to plan meetings and projects, write reports and risk assessments and to keep up to date records.
- The flexibility and willingness to regularly work on evenings and weekends as required (usually one Saturday, and three evenings per month)
You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:
- Generous annual leave - 31 days rising to 34 with service, plus bank holidays
- Excellent Local Government pension
- Family-friendly policies and enhanced parental leave
- Health & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling
- Professional development and career progression opportunities
- we are a National Living Wage employer
For full details of our benefits, please see the attached ‘Our Benefits’ brochure.
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.
If you have any questions or would like to arrange an informal discussion, please contact Richard Cracknell, Voice & Influence Lead on Richard.cracknell1@bradfordcft.org.uk or 07484 988772
Closing Date: 22nd November 2026
Interviews: 3rd and 4th December 2026. Attendance on both days is essential.
If you are invited to interview, you will be asked to attend a young person’s interview panel (3rd of December) as well as your main interview panel (4th December).
Internal candidates: If you wish to apply for this secondment, you must obtain explicit consent from your line manager. A secondment does not affect your permanent role, and you will retain your permanent employee status throughout.
