Participation Team Leader

Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values are:

Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

The Image “Our Values” is an image of text. It is a logotype for our One Coventry Values - Open and fair, Nurture and develop, Engage and empower, Create and innovate, Own and be accountable, Value and respect

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and strive to create an inclusive workplace culture, accepting of all, and free from discrimination and bias.

At Coventry City Council, we are embarking on an incredible journey to create a brighter future for Coventry's children. As an 'Outstanding' Local Authority, we believe in pushing boundaries and delivering excellence for children and families. Our vision is clear, and our social workers are unwavering in their commitment to putting children and families at the centre of their practice.

Be part of our inspiring team and make a meaningful difference in the lives of Coventry's children. Together, let's create a nurturing environment where every child's potential can flourish.

What is the job role?

The Participation Team supports and empowers children, young people, parents and carers to share their views and influence the decisions that affect them. The team plays a key role in helping us understand people’s experiences of our services and ensuring these voices shape how we plan, deliver and evaluate support and practice across Children’s and Education Services. This helps us keep children, young people and families at the centre of our work and strengthens our commitment to developing services alongside those who use them.

The Participation Team Leader will play an important role in driving forward Child Friendly Cov and embedding meaningful participation across the service. Central to our relational Family Valued Practice Approach is the importance of valuing families, listening to their experiences and working alongside them. This role will help ensure that the voices of children, young people, parents and carers directly inform practice, service development and decision-making.

You will lead and support a team of Participation Workers, providing direction, oversight and encouragement to deliver high-quality participation across the service and wider Council.

All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and values-led Participation Team Leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for children, young people and families. You will understand the importance of meaningful participation and co-production, and be able to support others to listen, respond and act on the views and experiences of those who use our services.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

Strong and motivational leadership skills, with the ability to lead, support and develop a team to deliver high-quality participation activity.
Experience of participation, engagement and co-production with children, young people, parents, carers and communities.
A relational and inclusive approach to working with children, young people, families, colleagues and partner agencies.
A relevant qualification or substantial experience of working directly with children, young people, parents and carers.
A good understanding of the needs and experiences of children, young people and families supported by Children’s and Education Services.
The ability to motivate, inspire and guide Participation Workers, supporting them to work creatively and effectively with a wide range of people.
Skills in developing strategies, delivering projects and evaluating impact to support continuous improvement.
Confidence in advocating for children, young people, parents and carers, ensuring their views are heard by practitioners, managers, senior leaders and partners to influence positive change.
Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver work to a high standard.
A proactive approach, with strong attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality practice.
Excellent communication and ICT skills, including the ability to present information clearly to different audiences.

If you would like to speak to someone regarding the role, please contact Hannah Bedford on hannah.bedford@coventry.gov.uk

Provisional Interview date:  Friday 2nd October 2026

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
Are currently in care or have previously been in care
If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'.

We recognise that you might use AI tools to help with your application. While these tools can be useful, please make sure that all information you provide about your experience, skills, and qualifications is accurate. What matters most to us is hearing about your experience and the achievements that truly reflect you!

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Coventry City Council

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