Job Description

Role: Community Engagement Practitioner

Location: North Newcastle

Salary: £28,000.00 per annum (pro-rata)

Contract: Fixed-term contract until 31/3/2027 – Part Time - 30 hours a week

Benefits:  

29 days annual leave plus bank holidays and options to buy or sell leave  
Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
Pension with up to 7%  matched employer contribution with included life assurance cover
Staff discounts and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national  retailers  discounts
We’re  offering a highly competitive rewards package, plus a comprehensive supervision, training and guidance.

Interviews to take please w/c 29th June

Why Action for Children?

We are one of the largest children’s charities in the UK and have been making a difference to the lives of the UK’s vulnerable children for over 150 years.  

Find out more about Action for Children here: Action for Children and on LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.

The difference is what you do. You can learn more about why we do it, by checking out our 'Driven by Love' video.

About the Role

We want every child and young person to have a safe and happy childhood. We are looking for a Community Engagement Practitioner to help us work closely with local people and volunteers to support children, young people and families. You will support us to deliver high-quality, impactful services across Newcastle as part of the Children and Families Newcastle Locality Offer. You will be based within the North Locality.

In this role, you will help create positive opportunities for people in the community to get involved in our services. You will make sure volunteers feel supported and that local families—especially those who may feel excluded or unheard—can share their views and help shape the services they use.

What You Will Do

In the role of Community Engagement Practitioner role, you will:

Set up and support a range of volunteering and community activities that help improve our services.
Create clear volunteer role descriptions and help recruit, train and welcome new volunteers.
Build positive relationships with children, young people, families and community members from different backgrounds.
Help collect feedback and information that shows how our services are making a difference.
Reflect on what works well and what could be improved and use this learning to develop services.
Support and guide volunteers and less experienced staff through supervision and regular check‑ins.
Make sure all work is safe and follows safeguarding, health and safety and safer recruitment policies.
Help children, young people, families and local communities share their views and take part in planning and reviewing services.
Work with the manager to review services, gather feedback and support the development of local hubs or new services.
Build strong working relationships with colleagues, community groups and partner organisations.

Let's talk about you, ideally you will:

Have experience working with communities, volunteers, or children and family services.
Be confident talking and listening to people from different backgrounds.
Be organised and able to plan and manage activities or projects.
Will be willing to learn, reflect on their practice and try new ideas.
Understand the importance of safeguarding and keeping people safe.
Will work well as part of a team and can also use their own initiative.
Are willing to work some evenings and the occasional weekend.

What We Offer:

The chance to make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families.
A supportive team and a values‑driven organisation.
Training, development and regular support and supervision.
A role where your ideas and experience are valued.

Good to know 

Application Process 

If you want to apply for the Community Engagement Practitioner:

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration. 

Talent Pool 

We know talent when we see it. But sometimes we find the right person but not for the right job. We'd love to keep your details for when the right job comes up. Let us know if you'd rather, we didn't. 

Contact: Sarah Manderfield by email with any questions – sarah.manderfield@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 13126

Diversity, equality and inclusion 

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children. 

Don't meet every single requirement? 

If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we'd love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role within the Action for Children family. 

See below for further information about working with us:

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Action for Children - Driven by Love