Referral Order, Volunteer and Participation Officer – 18.5 Hours Full Time NEW

Application Deadline: 10 May 2026

Department: Childrens Services

Location: Torbay Council

Compensation: £31,537 – £34,434 / year

Description

Job Description & Person Specification >
Torbay Youth Justice Service is seeking a Referral Order, Volunteer and Participation Officer to help make a difference to the lives of children and young people. This part time role (18.5 hours per week) offers some flexibility around when hours are worked and is ideal for someone passionate about youth participation, volunteering and positive change. About the role You will play a key role in:
• Recruiting, training, supporting and supervising volunteers within the Youth Justice Service.
• Coordinating and supporting Referral Order Panels, ensuring effective, fair and restorative practice.
• Working directly with children and young people to ensure their views and experiences shape how the service develops • Completing participation and feedback activities with children, families and victims.
• Using our new Youth Justice Service building as a welcoming space for engagement, discussion and consultation You will also work closely with Youth Justice colleagues and partners to support service improvement and strengthen community involvement. About you We are looking for someone who:
• Has experience working with or coordinating volunteers.
• Is confident engaging and building relationships with children and young people, including those who have experienced disadvantage.
• Has strong organisational and administrative skills.
• Is approachable, confident and able to work positively with volunteers, professionals and the public.
• Has a strong commitment to safeguarding and participation Why join us? You will be part of a supportive, multidisciplinary Youth Justice Service. Your work will directly contribute to:
• Improving outcomes for children and young people.
• Strengthening volunteer involvement and community engagement.
• Ensuring young people’s voices drive meaningful service change

This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.

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For an informal chat please contact – Amanda Paterson 07770235364 or Amanda.Paterson@Torbay.gov.uk

Skills

Essential:

• Ability to engage positively with children, young people and their parents and victims.
• Ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of organisations and individuals.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively with children and young people and form positive working relationships with them, their families and carers, specialist services and colleagues.
• Ability to carry out safe lone working practices and deal with conflict and challenge in community settings.
• Proven communication skills both written and oral to enable liaison and critical feedback with managers, other staff, volunteers, the public, outside organisations and local educational institutes.

This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Knowledge

Essential:

• Understanding the needs of local young people including the more complex issues that the most vulnerable young people face in society.
• Child Protection and Safeguarding policies in relation to the use of volunteers in a childcare setting.
• Knowledge of relevant childcare and youth justice legislation and policy.
• Knowledge of Restorative approaches.
• Knowledge of Feedback and Participation best practice.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• Educated to GCSE O Level standard or equivalent.
• Relevant qualification or equivalent to NVQ 3.
• Minimum introduction level 1 Child Protection training.
• ICT qualification – ECDL or equivalent.
• Experience of working in supervisory capacity with volunteers.