Job interviews can be stressful, but imagine having children as part of your interview panel. That’s exactly what happened to John Flack when he applied to be Brighton Council’s Youth Engagement Officer.

Authentic youth consultation means young people are included at every step of the way in matters that relate to them. So Brighton Council decided that the only way to employ a person who was the right fit as the new Youth Engagement Officer was to include our young people in the hiring process – from start to finish.

The Brighton Youth Action Group (BYAG) recently helped in creating the position description, youth-relevant selection criteria and developing interview questions, right through to being part of the interview panel and making the tough decisions. This led to the recruitment of John Flack. This approach wasn’t just about filling a job; it was about empowering young people.

By being part of the hiring process, members of BYAG gained firsthand experience of how employment decisions are made. It boosted their confidence, improved their communication skills, and nurtured their leadership abilities. Importantly, it ensured that the Youth Engagement Officer would be someone they felt comfortable working with, ensuring a positive impact from day one.