Overview & Scrutiny Committee Member (Young Person Co-optee)

Job Introduction

Could you be the voice of young people in Oxfordshire?

We’re looking for two young people aged 16–25 to join our Education and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee as co‑opted members. This is a voluntary, two‑year role running from June 2026 to May 2028.

Being part of scrutiny at Oxfordshire County Council is a great way to build confidence, understand how local government works, and gain valuable experience for your CV. Most importantly, it’s your chance to make sure young people’s views genuinely shape local decisions. 

About the committee

Scrutiny plays a key “checks and balances” role as a ‘critical friend’, amplifying the voices and concerns of the public, and making sure decisions to be taken by the Council’s Cabinet are in people’s best interests and that services are high‑quality and good value for money. 

The Education and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee looks closely at services affecting children and young people including education and schools, support for young carers and care leavers, children’s social care and safeguarding, public health issues affecting young people, support for unaccompanied young asylum seekers and preventative and early‑help services for families.

The committee usually meets five times a year at County Hall in Oxford, currently on Tuesday mornings (though this may change). Additional meetings or training sessions may occasionally be required. You can watch the committee in action and read committee meeting papers on our website. 

What you’ll do

For each meeting you’ll:

• Read the committee papers
• Join a prep meeting with support staff (1.5–2 hours)
• Attend an online pre‑meeting with councillors (1 hour)
• Take part in the full committee meeting (around 3 hours)
• Join a short debrief afterwards (up to 30 minutes)

Meetings are recorded and publicly available online for 12 months, so you will need to be comfortable being filmed.

What we expect from you

As a co‑optee, we need you to:

• Bring your experience or insight into issues affecting young people
• Prepare for meetings in advance
• Speak up and share your opinions in a group setting
• Ask questions about the topics being discussed
• Listen carefully and analytically
• Take part in training and keep in touch with support officers
• Complete a DBS check 

We are looking for young people who:

• Are already involved in youth networks
• Are independent‑minded
• Are comfortable with reviewing and digesting data 
• Have strong listening and questioning skills
• Are confident challenging ideas in a constructive way
• Are prepared to test assumptions and explore issues in depth

Support available

We offer training for the role and a named officer to help you prepare for and participate in meetings, and to support you in gathering the views of other young people. This is a voluntary role. Travel expenses can be claimed for pre-arranged meetings.

Eligibility

To apply, you must be aged 16–25, and also live in Oxfordshire or represent an organisation that works with children and young people in the county. The role is politically neutral, and you will be subject to the Members’ Code of Conduct (Part 9.1 of the Council’s Constitution).

How to apply

Email scrutiny@oxfordshire.gov.uk, including your name, address, and contact details and a personal statement (no more than one side of A4). This should explain why you want to join the committee, what you would bring to the role and how you meet the criteria (what we expect from you).

• The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on Sunday 15 March 2026
• Interview date TBC
• Shortlisted applicants will be contacted on Tuesday 17 March 2026

Want to know more?

Email: scrutiny@oxfordshire.gov.uk or phone/text Richard Doney on 07745 210056