Job Details:
Participation and Policy Lead

Job Description

Pure Insight have an exciting opportunity to join our team in a new role as Participation and Policy Lead, ensure young people’s views and experiences continue to influence service delivery, and to take Pure Insight’s social action and advocacy to the next level in shaping policy initiatives and influencing decision-makers at local, regional and national levels.

Pure Insight supports young people leaving care between the age of 16 – 28 across Stockport, Salford, Cheshire East, Warrington and Halton where we’re proud to have developed impactful, nationally recognised best practice programmes alongside young care leavers.

Job Description: 

1) Growing and developing the Care Experienced Young People Participation Network & Voice – Experts by Experience (EbE) 

Lead and develop Pure Insight’s participation framework and delivery plans alongside young people and the wider charity. We aim for it to becomes an expert young person’s group to advocate for, and support the development of, best practice for Pure Insight, and regional and national leaving care services. 

Develop, support and co-facilitate EbE activity, ensuring inclusive engagement via a flexible approach. Support young people to attend, participate and take part in social action aligned with their interests, ability and development goals. 

Design and implement a series of engaging participation events, other 1:1 and group activities agreed by EbE. Use principles of co-production to advance policy and influence priorities, including opportunities for EbE to meet decision-makers. 

Design a Young Persons’ leadership programme for participation, ensuring EbE members are supported with relevant skill development and training opportunities to contribute happily and effectively. 

Co-produce practical guides and content to be shared with partners to help establish new services, improve systems or inform commissioning/policy (e.g., training packages with lived exp delivery, ‘how to’ consultancy packages, guides & reflections written by care experienced young people). Assist young people and staff to present at conferences, workshops and other events with key stakeholders locally and nationally

2) Policy / influencing

Develop relationships with key external organisations and stakeholders, e.g. Local Authorities, Public Bodies, Central Government, Funding Bodies, Campaigning Organisations - identifying and acting on opportunities to contribute to research, policy discussions and reforms related to relevant issues with decision-makers and influencers. 

Develop primary participatory research with implementable but aspirational recommendations in a local and national context 

Maintain expert knowledge of research findings, legislation, statutory guidance and policy developments relevant to the service area, identifying opportunities to respond, influence and shape the debate. 

Research, write, and target influential position papers/best practice statements to shape policy and practice improvements, identifying optimal channels and audiences for maximum impact. 

Disseminate best practice models and assist local & regional Care Leaver service design/ improvements. 

3) Other responsibilities:

Collaborate with staff members to use the findings from consultations with young people to drive continuous service improvement across Pure Insight.

Work collaboratively with the wider staff team to create engaging content for blogs, campaign emails, case studies, social media and PR. 

24 days leave, plus bank holidays, increasing to 26 days after 2 years and then 27 days after 5 years employment 

Benefits: 

• Friendly, fun and supportive working environment
• Great flexible working options
• Extensive learning and professional development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 24 days plus bank holidays
• Additional day’s leave on your birthday