Children's Rights Officer
Pay: £33.64ph Umbrella
Location: Hackney
Start: ASAP, Full‑time, 12 month contract
Are you passionate about ensuring that children and young people are listened to, protected, and empowered?
We are seeking an experienced Children's Rights Officer to join Hackney's Children & Families Service, playing a key role in advocating for looked after children, care leavers, and young people returning from missing episodes.
The Role
As a Locum Children's Rights Officer, you will:
Champion the voice, wishes and feelings of children and young people across all forums that affect them.
Provide independent advocacy, ensuring young people understand their rights and entitlements.
Support and mediate on complaints, escalating to formal complaints where appropriate.
Attend meetings with or on behalf of young people to ensure their views are represented.
Deliver return‑from‑missing interviews and help young people develop personalised safety plans.
Work collaboratively with social work units, Children's Legal Services, the Children's Commissioner and other key partners.
Support participation work including the Hackney Children in Care Council.
Produce high‑quality reports, maintain accurate records, and identify themes to support service development.
Deliver training and group sessions around exploitation, relationships, emotional wellbeing, and other key topics.
About You
You will bring:
A professional qualification in social work, youth work, teaching, health, advocacy, or similar.
Strong experience providing advocacy to children and young people.
Detailed knowledge of legislation around children's rights, Children Act complaints, and advocacy standards.
Experience working with children from diverse backgrounds, including those at risk of exploitation or who frequently go missing.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage children of all ages and abilities.
Confidence working with senior stakeholders, elected Members, and external bodies.
Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied caseload under pressure.
A commitment to equality, anti‑discriminatory practice, and safeguarding.
An enhanced DBS is required for this role.
Apply:
If you're passionate about empowering young people and making their voices heard, we'd love to hear from you.
Please reach out to Jordan Peat, Talent Partner - (url removed)
Commercial Services Trading Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy