Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Calderdale team at a pivotal moment and shape services that matter. As our new Engagement Practitioner, you’ll have the chance to shape this role from the ground up, enjoying a high level of autonomy while working closely with a passionate and supportive team.
In this role, you’ll lead the planning and delivery of meaningful community engagement to influence how emotional wellbeing and mental health services are designed for children and young people. Through this Core 20 Plus 5 funded project, you’ll dive into data and stakeholder insights to uncover who is and isn’t accessing services, and why. You’ll connect with youth forums, schools, and community groups to build an inclusive engagement plan, and you’ll be out in the community gathering views through workshops, surveys, and events.
Supporting local health priorities and Open Minds strategic priorities, your work will culminate in a report with recommendations to improve service accessibility and effectiveness, particularly for communities experiencing health inequalities. This will drive real change, helping make services more accessible and effective for those who need them most.
The aim is to ensure that lived experiences shapes future service development, helping to remove barriers and create a more equitable support system for children, young people, and families.
Main duties of the job
Project planning and preparation
Develop a detailed engagement project plan aligned with strategic milestones.
Analyse existing datasets to identify communities at risk of health inequalities.
Map relevant service user groups, forums, and community networks across Calderdale.
Collaborate with stakeholders and forums to understand barriers to access and test engagement approaches.
Engagement strategy development Design an inclusive engagement plan targeting underserved communities.
Identify effective communication methods and co-production activities.
Work with internal teams to share insights and good practice across platforms.
Community engagement delivery Schedule and deliver approximately 8 engagement sessions per week.
Use varied engagement methods (e.g. focus groups, surveys, workshops) in accessible community venues across Calderdale.
Collect and analyse evaluation data to measure impact.
Travel as required (a full driving licence and access to a car would be of benefit)
Reporting and recommendations Produce a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations.
Present outcomes to stakeholders, including commissioners and community groups.
Support development of a sustainability and exit strategy.
Legacy and capacity building Organise end-of-project events to share progress and next steps.
Help commissioners and services develop pledges to act on recommendations.
Share tools, resources, and lessons learned to support ongoing engagement (e.g. via the Northpoint SharePoint, website, Open Minds and Northpoint peer learning).
Contribute to a theory of change to track long-term impact.
About us
Northpoint is an established regional provider of children, young people, and adult’s mental health services. Our vision is a world that supports good mental health for all. Our purpose is to deliver effective mental health support, and to improve the mental health system in Yorkshire and the surrounding areas. Our values are to be professional, responsive, collaborative, and transparent.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Do you want to be part of the change we’re bringing to mental health support?
We have a unique opportunity for an Engagement Practitioner to join Northpoint. This role will involve working across Calderdale to lead meaningful community engagement that shapes emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children and young people. You will join us on a 15-month fixed-term contract and in return, you will receive a competitive salary of £40,290 – £46,330 (Northpoint Band G8).
Why us?
Northpoint is an established regional provider of mental health services for children, young people, and adults. Our vision is a world that supports good mental health for all. We deliver effective mental health support and work to improve the mental health system in Yorkshire and surrounding areas. Our values are professional, responsive, collaborative, and transparent.
We take pride in our programme of work to enhance the health and wellbeing, and future life chances of our children and young people. We work with local partners and stakeholders to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families. In Calderdale we work with colleagues across health, social care and the third sector to join up services for children and young people and to ensure we reach the most vulnerable service users.
What you will be doing as our Engagement Practitioner:
You’ll lead the planning and delivery of inclusive engagement activities to influence how services are designed for children and young people. Working with cross sector partners, in particular community groups and young people’s reference groups, you will:
- Develop and implement an engagement plan targeting under-served communities.
- Deliver focus groups, workshops, and surveys in community settings.
- Analyse data and produce a comprehensive report with recommendations to improve service accessibility and effectiveness.
- Work closely with youth forums, schools, and community groups to ensure lived experience shapes future service development.
The findings from the report will feed into the commissioning cycle for children and young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing services and inform future service delivery.
What are we looking for in our ideal Engagement Practitioner:
- Essential:
- Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field (e.g., Public Health, Community Development, Social Sciences, Youth Work) or equivalent experience.
- Understanding of health inequalities and mental health services for children and young people.
- Proven experience in planning and delivering community engagement projects.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
- Ability to analyse data and produce actionable insights.
- Competent in using digital tools for engagement and reporting.
- Desirable:
- Knowledge of the NHS 10-Year Plan.
- Experience managing challenging group dynamics and inclusive facilitation.
- Ability to think strategically and improve stakeholder engagement.
If you have the skills, knowledge and experience we are looking for, and are passionate about making a difference, please click ‘Apply’ to be considered for our Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner role. We would love to hear from you!
Closing date: Wednesday 10th December 2025
We may utilise digital interview methods.
We aim to be a talented, resilient and inclusive community. We welcome applications from all and offer a variety of flexible working/job share opportunities for both full and part-time staff.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants to posts that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act will require a DBS from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Do you want to be part of the change we’re bringing to mental health support?
We have a unique opportunity for an Engagement Practitioner to join Northpoint. This role will involve working across Calderdale to lead meaningful community engagement that shapes emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children and young people. You will join us on a 15-month fixed-term contract and in return, you will receive a competitive salary of £40,290 – £46,330 (Northpoint Band G8).
Why us?
Northpoint is an established regional provider of mental health services for children, young people, and adults. Our vision is a world that supports good mental health for all. We deliver effective mental health support and work to improve the mental health system in Yorkshire and surrounding areas. Our values are professional, responsive, collaborative, and transparent.
We take pride in our programme of work to enhance the health and wellbeing, and future life chances of our children and young people. We work with local partners and stakeholders to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families. In Calderdale we work with colleagues across health, social care and the third sector to join up services for children and young people and to ensure we reach the most vulnerable service users.
What you will be doing as our Engagement Practitioner:
You’ll lead the planning and delivery of inclusive engagement activities to influence how services are designed for children and young people. Working with cross sector partners, in particular community groups and young people’s reference groups, you will:
- Develop and implement an engagement plan targeting under-served communities.
- Deliver focus groups, workshops, and surveys in community settings.
- Analyse data and produce a comprehensive report with recommendations to improve service accessibility and effectiveness.
- Work closely with youth forums, schools, and community groups to ensure lived experience shapes future service development.
The findings from the report will feed into the commissioning cycle for children and young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing services and inform future service delivery.
What are we looking for in our ideal Engagement Practitioner:
- Essential:
- Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field (e.g., Public Health, Community Development, Social Sciences, Youth Work) or equivalent experience.
- Understanding of health inequalities and mental health services for children and young people.
- Proven experience in planning and delivering community engagement projects.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
- Ability to analyse data and produce actionable insights.
- Competent in using digital tools for engagement and reporting.
- Desirable:
- Knowledge of the NHS 10-Year Plan.
- Experience managing challenging group dynamics and inclusive facilitation.
- Ability to think strategically and improve stakeholder engagement.
If you have the skills, knowledge and experience we are looking for, and are passionate about making a difference, please click ‘Apply’ to be considered for our Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner role. We would love to hear from you!
Closing date: Wednesday 10th December 2025
We may utilise digital interview methods.
We aim to be a talented, resilient and inclusive community. We welcome applications from all and offer a variety of flexible working/job share opportunities for both full and part-time staff.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants to posts that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act will require a DBS from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field (e.g. Public Health, Community Development, Social Sciences, Youth Work, or similar). Or equivalent vocational qualification gained through worked experience.
- Evidence of continued professional development in engagement, inclusion, or service improvement
Desirable
Knowledge & Understanding
Essential
- Understanding of health inequalities and the social determinants of health.
- An understanding of the challenges people with vulnerabilities may face when accessing health services.
- Knowledge of Calderdales local communities and the challenges they face.
- Familiarity with emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children and young people.
- Awareness of safeguarding principles and ethical engagement practices.
- Understanding of co-production principles and inclusive communication methods
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of the NHS 10 year plan
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience in planning and delivering community engagement or co-production projects.
- Experience working with diverse communities, particularly those facing health inequalities.
- Experience in analysing data and translating insights into actionable plans.
- Experience in producing reports and presenting findings to a range of stakeholders.
- Experience working collaboratively across multi-agency partnerships.
- Experience of working with or engaging vulnerable or seldom heard young people and their families
Desirable
- Experience in managing challenging group dynamics
- Skills in inclusive group facilitation
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport across communities.
- Strong facilitation skills for focus groups, workshops, and public engagement sessions.
- Ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative data to inform decision-making.
- Project management skills, including planning, scheduling, and monitoring progress.
- Competent in using digital tools for engagement, data analysis, visualisation of service user feedback, and reporting.
- Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and amplifying underrepresented voices.
- Team player.
- IT skills e.g. able to use Microsoft Office packages including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and video conferencing such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams
Desirable
- Ability to think strategically and identify ways to improve stakeholder engagement
Qualities and Values
Essential
- An understanding, sensitive and non-judgmental approach towards mental health issues
- Evidence of a positive and proactive attitude, motivated and solution focused
- Commitment to the principles of inclusivity, equality and diversity, demonstrated in practice
- Demonstrates values consistent with those of Northpoint
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field (e.g. Public Health, Community Development, Social Sciences, Youth Work, or similar). Or equivalent vocational qualification gained through worked experience.
- Evidence of continued professional development in engagement, inclusion, or service improvement
Desirable
Knowledge & Understanding
Essential
- Understanding of health inequalities and the social determinants of health.
- An understanding of the challenges people with vulnerabilities may face when accessing health services.
- Knowledge of Calderdales local communities and the challenges they face.
- Familiarity with emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children and young people.
- Awareness of safeguarding principles and ethical engagement practices.
- Understanding of co-production principles and inclusive communication methods
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of the NHS 10 year plan
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience in planning and delivering community engagement or co-production projects.
- Experience working with diverse communities, particularly those facing health inequalities.
- Experience in analysing data and translating insights into actionable plans.
- Experience in producing reports and presenting findings to a range of stakeholders.
- Experience working collaboratively across multi-agency partnerships.
- Experience of working with or engaging vulnerable or seldom heard young people and their families
Desirable
- Experience in managing challenging group dynamics
- Skills in inclusive group facilitation
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport across communities.
- Strong facilitation skills for focus groups, workshops, and public engagement sessions.
- Ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative data to inform decision-making.
- Project management skills, including planning, scheduling, and monitoring progress.
- Competent in using digital tools for engagement, data analysis, visualisation of service user feedback, and reporting.
- Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and amplifying underrepresented voices.
- Team player.
- IT skills e.g. able to use Microsoft Office packages including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and video conferencing such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams
Desirable
- Ability to think strategically and identify ways to improve stakeholder engagement
Qualities and Values
Essential
- An understanding, sensitive and non-judgmental approach towards mental health issues
- Evidence of a positive and proactive attitude, motivated and solution focused
- Commitment to the principles of inclusivity, equality and diversity, demonstrated in practice
- Demonstrates values consistent with those of Northpoint
Desirable
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
