Rights and Participation Volunteer Coordinator

We are looking for a passionate, motivated and well-organised Rights and Participation Coordinator to lead the development of our Volunteer Programme, with a specific focus on creating a new practical home support offer for young people who are living independently.  The coordinators will play a key role in making sure young people’s voices are central to every stage of the programme, from planning and design through to delivery, review and improvement.

The programme supports young people who are care experienced from 16-25.  This is an exciting new role within Birmingham Children’s Trust and will help create a volunteer offer that supports young people to manage, maintain and feel confident in their own homes. The postholder will work with volunteers, young people, professionals and partners to develop a practical, responsive and relationship-based programme that improves young people’s independence, confidence and life chances.

The role will focus on building and coordinating a volunteer-led practical support offer. This could include helping young people with small home maintenance tasks, gardening, clearing outdoor spaces, basic DIY, painting and decorating, taking rubbish to the tip, and helping young people learn how to care for, maintain and take pride in their home and garden. It will also look at a pool of drivers to support our children and young people.

The postholder will play a key role in recruiting, supporting and coordinating volunteers who can offer practical help, encouragement and life skills support. They will work closely with other key leads across the volunteer programme, including colleagues involved in recruitment, matching, referrals, safeguarding, training and wider volunteer development. This role will require someone who can build effective relationships with young people, volunteers, social workers, personal advisers, carers, providers, community partners and internal and external stakeholders.

The successful candidate will need to understand the importance of safe, well-managed volunteering activity and be able to coordinate support in a timely, efficient and organised way. The Volunteer Programme Lead will also work directly with young people to understand what kind of practical support would make the biggest difference to them. The offer should be shaped around what young people say they need and want, ensuring the programme is accessible, respectful, empowering and genuinely useful.

This is a role for someone who believes that young people should have the practical support, encouragement and trusted relationships they need to live well, feel settled and succeed as they move into independence. We have been rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted, following a 2023 inspection.  This is a fantastic achievement for Birmingham Children's Trust, with many positive highlights focusing on areas including the quality of staff leadership, partnership working, safeguarding and corporate parenting.

This is a hybrid role based in Birmingham, UK so you must have the correct right-to-work documents to work in the UK. Sadly, we do not support those who require sponsorship or on a VISA. About You   You are passionate about children and young people and committed to improving their life chances, independence and wellbeing. You have experience of working directly with children and young people and can build positive, trusting and respectful relationships.

You have experience of managing, leading, developing or coordinating programmes, projects or services. You are highly organised and able to manage competing priorities in a timely, efficient and proactive way. You can recruit, support, coordinate and engage volunteers, ensuring they feel valued, prepared and clear about their role. You understand the importance of safe volunteering practice, including appropriate matching, support, boundaries and safeguarding.

You can work directly with young people to understand their needs and coordinate practical suppo