Chilypep is a nationally registered charity based across Sheffield and Barnsley, where the majority of our work takes place. We take a 'strengths based' relational approach, empowering young people to meaningfully participate in decisions that affect their lives and build their social capital, focusing on areas of high disadvantage and marginalised communities of interest, identity and belonging, as well as those furthest from services and support. We support young people who face additional barriers and whose voices are rarely heard, and our work priorities are based on the needs and issues identified by young people. Our work has been recognised as good practice by organisations including the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, through our partnership in the Sheffield Right Here pilot, NHS England and Yorkshire and Humber Youth Work Unit, and has influenced local and national participation practice.
For further information about our work visit:
Main Purpose of the Role:
We are currently seeking a Voice & Influence Participation Project Worker to work in our Voice & Influence team whose focus is on mental health participation work, including the facilitation of the weekly Young Commissioners sessions in Sheffield and Barnsley, our mental health action groups and our work with young people within schools and colleges in Barnsley.
Chilypep is currently funded by the Integrated Care Board, South Yorkshire, to engage young people with lived experience of mental health in influencing and shaping services across Barnsley, Sheffield and South Yorkshire. We are also funded by Sheffield CAMHS to support young people to directly influence the services they provide.
The Voice & Influence Participation Project will lead on the planning and running of the weekly Young Commissioners groups, for young people aged 11-25, in Sheffield and Barnsley, supporting and facilitating their involvement in mental health service design and influencing, through training them as young commissioners and supporting them to meaningfully participate in service development, design, delivery and evaluation. We support young people to share their stories and experiences with those in positions of influence, to improve and shape services and commissioning around mental health. This means working closely with commissioners, service providers and other sectors, as well as with children and young people, and with the wider teams and projects that support young people’s mental health and wellbeing across our organisation.
The ideal candidate will need to be a thoughtful and flexible practitioner who places young people and their welfare at the heart of their practice and has a compassionate, authentic approach. They will have a demonstrable commitment to equality and social justice and be a positive team player willing to share learning and good practice. They must be able to demonstrate experience of planning and facilitating group work.
Working Conditions:
• Travel will be required across Sheffield and Barnsley and to regional and occasionally national meetings and training events.
• Office based, with hybrid and flexible working patterns in some circumstances with line manager’s agreement.
• Flexible working hours will be required with regular evening (minimum 2 evenings per week) and occasional weekend/residential work.
Chilypep are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and ensuring equality of opportunity in our recruitment processes for staff and volunteers. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic. Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams. We celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be themselves at work. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce and follow the guidelines of the Equality Act. We are an employer that values lived experience at all levels of our organisation.
Our priority is to safeguard and protect the Children and Young People we work with, and we operate strict Safe Recruitment Practices, including a DBS check, social media check, and 2 references covering a period of no less than 3 years for all staff and volunteers.