Youth ambassador for Barnet
What is the Youth Ambassador role?
The Youth Ambassador alongside the Youth Assembly would help the young people of Barnet recognise they have the power to influence change within their own communities by increasing awareness of democratic participation. Enabling the young people of Barnet to have a voice at a Local, Regional and National level.
Purpose of the role
- to represent the young people of Barnet, ensuring that the voices of young people are heard on a local level with key partners (e.g. NHS), whilst also working alongside the London Youth Assembly representatives for Barnet, who take issues to a regional level and the Members of Youth Parliament who take issues to a national level
- to consult with the young people of Barnet
- chairing the Youth Assembly meetings and providing leadership and direction to the Youth Assembly. (with the support of Governance and Voice of the Child staff)
- working alongside the other forums and Members of Youth Parliament (MYP) & London Youth Assembly (LYA) members to voice their views and opinions to policy and decision makers across the borough, ensuring that children’s rights are recognised and valued.
Time Commitment
- to attend all Youth Assembly Meetings bi-monthly (or Deputy to stand in for)
- to attend Children’s, Education and Safeguarding committee meetings once a quarter to present the motions and issues raised from Youth Assembly. In addition to attending events alongside, LYA members, Deputy Youth Ambassador and MYP’s
- to meet monthly with Deputy Youth Ambassador, LYA and MYP’s to work on campaigns
- opportunity to attend the British Youth Council conventions (approx. 3 Saturday sessions across the year) and the British Youth Council Youth Voice residential (all residential costs will be covered).
How appointed
Election rules
- age range 11 to 18 (up to 25 with additional needs) and to live, study or work in Barnet.
Duration
- one year in office (for the Youth Ambassadors elected in 2020 will be serving two years in office due to the restrictions from Covid-19).
Tasks (Leadership/ Strategic Direction)
- identifying priorities for the work of the Youth Assembly and ensure there is a manageable and achievable agenda for each meeting
- encouraging all members of the assembly to engage in its activities
- participating in meetings and keep them to time
- representing the views of young people in Barnet to the Children, Education and Safeguarding committee (CES)
- encouraging young people from other forums to engage with Youth Assembly and work along with London Youth Assembly Members and Members of Youth Parliament for Barnet, to enable the views of the young people of Barnet to be fed back on a regional and national level
- leading on the social action project, applying for funding and working alongside a working party made up of young people from across the forums. (The projects will be based on the top issue as voted by the young people through ‘Make Your Mark’).
Skills
- approachable
- inclusive of everyone
- experience: no experience required, just a desire to get young people’s voices heard
- develop necessary skills by taking part in training, in order to effectively carry out the role.
Relationships
- working in partnership with the Deputy Youth Ambassador
- building effective and respectful relationships with youth forum members, council officers and representatives of outside organisations in order to carry out the role
- be aware of issues of importance to young people in the borough and other stakeholders concerning matters within the terms of reference for Youth Assembly and Barnet Youth Board
- not to express political views or opinions.
How can I get involved?
Apply to be the Barnet Youth Ambassador online
The elections for Barnet’s Youth Parliament Members takes place from December to March. Dates and events are as followed;
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January 2022 |
Information evening for candidates at Hendon Town Hall 6.15 – 7.45 pm |
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January 2022 |
Online applications deadline 11.59 pm |
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February 2022 |
Candidate debate evening at Barnet Council Office in Colindale (time tbc) |
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February 2022 |
Voting opens online at 9.00 am |
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March 2022 |
Voting online closes at 11.59 pm |
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9 March 2022 |
Election results announced at a presentation evening (location, date and time to be confirmed) |