Why apply for this role?
Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) is undergoing an exciting period of reform designed to make a step change in improving outcomes for children.
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Participation Advisor to join our team and use their passion and innovation to involve children and young people to improve CHS’s functions and uphold children’s rights.
Building on the work that has already been done, you will support an ambitious programme of participatory work involving children and people with experience of the hearing system to drive forward improvements in practices and standards.
Your role
You will lead focused, creative and structured engagement work with groups of children and young people, including our Experts by Experience group. You will create the space, audiences and opportunities to ensure the voice of children and young people with lived experience of the hearing system are elevated and influence decision making within CHS and across the Children’s Hearings System.
You will provide support to our Experts by Experience group to enable them to develop their own skills and confidence when they participate with CHS.
Critical to this role will be your ability to build connections with key partners to share learning, improve practice and bring about lasting change. You will help build a strong brand and identity to this work.
About you
You must have experience of working with children and young people to bring about lasting change. You will have a good working knowledge of the Children’s Hearings System, the legislative landscape, children’s rights, and the issues that face children and young people in the hearing system.
You will be supported to further develop your knowledge of the Children’s Hearings System and be given exposure to national forums and development opportunities that will build on your existing knowledge.
You will work closely with CHS colleagues, children and young people and partner organisations to encourage and use feedback to help bring about lasting change.
You will have knowledge of confidentiality and trauma informed practice, and how to effectively engage and encourage young people with lived experience of the hearing system. Above all you must be committed to children’s rights and have experience of being involved in programmes of work that have resulted in impactful improvements.
For information on how to apply, please see bottom of the advert.
Life at CHS
At Children’s Hearings Scotland, our highly trained Panel Members make decisions for Scotland’s unique Children’s Hearings System that upholds and promotes the rights of infants, children and young people. Our 2,500 volunteer Panel Members take part in children’s hearings in their local areas, making decisions with and for infants, children and young people. Our organisation also supports a network of Area Support Teams throughout Scotland who support Panel Members in their local communities.
As an organisation that works within the Children’s Hearings System, we are passionate about making a positive contribution to improving outcomes for Scotland’s infants, children and young people.
You can read more about our core values on our website as well as view an introductory video to our organisation. We also offer a generous benefits package from hybrid working to flexi hours and a fantastic pension scheme – check out our full benefits summary.
Diversity and Inclusion
CHS is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We actively encourage applicants from all protected characteristics and are committed to providing any reasonable adjustments required during the application and assessment process, and upon joining us.
Hybrid working and working pattern
This is hybrid role and you are expected to travel in line with business needs, including meeting young people at a location that works for them. This will involve being 'on-site' an average of two days per week. You are also expected to travel on occasion to the CHS Head Office at Thistle House, Haymarket, Edinburgh. This involves attending directorate meetings throughout the year and any other additional organisational activities of which you will be given reasonable notice.
The standard working week is Monday to Friday but this role will require a level of evening and weekend work in line with business needs.
How do I apply?
For more details and to apply, please download the application pack from the CHS website which includes a full job description, a person specification and the link to application.
Please note that CVs are not accepted.
For an informal and confidential discussion on the role or about any adjustments you might need, please email jobs@CHS.gov.scot.
Closing Date: Monday 9 March 2026, 10am.
After the closing date, this role profile won’t be available on our website, so please save a copy when you apply.
It is anticipated that interviews will be held on Thursday 2 April 2026
*Due to the anticipated interest in this post, it may not be possible to respond to candidates who have not been invited to interview. We thank you for your interest in this post.