YOUTH AMBASSADOR – The Facts

 

John Dwyer, Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire sets the record straight about the Youth Ambassador post. John Dwyer said "There has been media coverage over the weekend about my intention to appoint a Youth Ambassador, some of which was reported incorrectly and I want to provide some facts.

I said in my pre-election campaign I would appoint a Youth Ambassador as the election process only addressed those people eligible to vote. I want to effectively engage with young people. This role is aimed at preventing young people from becoming victims of crime or to deter them from committing crime. 23% of Cheshire′s population are under the age of 18. It is important that they also have a say in the governance of policing.  There is important work to be done with young people as victims, in reducing re-offending but perhaps most importantly in safeguarding their wellbeing.  

The Youth Ambassador will work alongside the police, schools and young people′s organisations to help keep them safe from harm, drug and alcohol abuse and in other areas such as internet safety."

The job description and role profile were developed in partnership with organisations such as local authorities, youth services and youth offending team. Partners, the public and young people themselves were consulted in face to face meetings and in an on-line survey. The job has been independently assessed using the cross-industry national Hay Evaluation system at £23,799 per year.

Although we will not discriminate by age in the appointment process, it is unlikely that this will be a very young person as the Commissioner is looking for someone to fill the post who has significant experience of working with young people. The job description asks for the equivalent of 3 A’levels and 3 years youth work experience.

The appointment is by the Commissioner and is fixed until the next elections in May 2016.

The successful applicant will be subject to the usual security vetting required and CRB checked as required to work with young people. Their social media accounts will also be checked before being confirmed in post.