Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Advanced Lived Experience Practitioner (Inpatient Mental Health Care)

The closing date is 16 March 2026

Job summary

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn

We have an exciting opportunity for an Advanced Lived Experience Practitioner (co-production specialism) to support the Inpatient Quality Transformation Programme, in amplifying lived experience voices across sites located at The Redwoods in Shrewsbury and St. Georges Hospital in Stafford.

The role of Advanced Lived Experience Practitioner has been developed specifically for people who have either:

  • Personal and demonstrable first hand Lived Experience of recovery from mental health challenges and of receiving inpatient Mental Health Care.

Or

  • Lived experience of supporting someone accessing Inpatient Mental Health Care in an unpaid carer role.(unpaid care, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support)

Lived experience of receiving inpatient mental health care, or being an unpaid carer for someone who has, is essential for this role. If you currently receive care from the team this post sits within, your application will not be disadvantaged. However, if appointed, your care would be transferred to another team to ensure safe boundaries between your care and employment. The same applies if you require mental health support while in post. This reflects standard MPFT practice for all staff.

Main duties of the job

This leadership role will support the development of co-production and participation opportunities by inviting people who access services and their carers to become equal partners in the planning, delivery and monitoring of our services.

As part of this role, you will be expected to:

  • Working with people who are navigating recovery / experiencing mental illness from a range of different backgrounds and cultures, and their carer's.
  • Responsibility for designated projects and for co-ordinating co-production opportunities; facilitating sessions that bring together staff and people who access our services and their carers / loved ones to ensure we are constantly developing and improving our offer.
  • Participate in governance meetings and decision-making forums and be a vital participant in the Culture of Care and Inpatient Quality Transformation Programmes, inpatient quality review visits and other forums, amplifying the voices of those who access our services and offering the lived experience perspective in decision making about assuring quality, planning of services and investment decisions.
  • Be responsible for supporting the development of our lived experience network across our acute adult inpatient services, including the creation of communications, registering and supporting our lived experience reps to attend meetings, co-facilitating network, community and forum meetings and assisting in the delivery of training and specific projects.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Details

Date posted

16 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

301-LBG-26-7753685

Job locations

St. George's Hospital and Redwoods Hospital

Stafford and Shrewsbury

ST16 3SR


Job description

Job responsibilities

Before applying for this exciting and challenging role, we encourage applicants to view and read the job and person specification.

As part of your application, we request you clearly outline in your Supporting Statement how you meet the shortlisting criteria through your Lived Experience alongside your other skills, attributes, and experiences.

To meet the requirements of the role you will be required to travel between Shrewsbury and Stafford locations.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Before applying for this exciting and challenging role, we encourage applicants to view and read the job and person specification.

As part of your application, we request you clearly outline in your Supporting Statement how you meet the shortlisting criteria through your Lived Experience alongside your other skills, attributes, and experiences.

To meet the requirements of the role you will be required to travel between Shrewsbury and Stafford locations.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Lived experience of recovery journey from mental and emotional distress, and experience of using inpatient mental health services or lived experience of supporting someone experiencing a recovery journey from mental and emotional distress and accessing inpatient care in an unpaid carer role.

Knowledge

Essential

  • An understanding of recovery principles, coproduction and community asset development.
  • Knowledge of other relevant local and national documents/drivers that affect involvement and experience. Inclusive of those national programmes related to inpatient mental health care e.g. Inpatient Quality Transformation Programme.

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrates experience of taking a leadership role for co-producing, planning and delivering, activities and training from a lived experience perspective.
  • Experience of working with people who are navigating recovery / experiencing mental illness from a range of different backgrounds and cultures, and their carer's.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • An ability to meet the travel requirements of the role- This role requires access to both Redwoods (Shrewsbury) and St Georges (Stafford) inpatient sites.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Lived experience of recovery journey from mental and emotional distress, and experience of using inpatient mental health services or lived experience of supporting someone experiencing a recovery journey from mental and emotional distress and accessing inpatient care in an unpaid carer role.

Knowledge

Essential

  • An understanding of recovery principles, coproduction and community asset development.
  • Knowledge of other relevant local and national documents/drivers that affect involvement and experience. Inclusive of those national programmes related to inpatient mental health care e.g. Inpatient Quality Transformation Programme.

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrates experience of taking a leadership role for co-producing, planning and delivering, activities and training from a lived experience perspective.
  • Experience of working with people who are navigating recovery / experiencing mental illness from a range of different backgrounds and cultures, and their carer's.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • An ability to meet the travel requirements of the role- This role requires access to both Redwoods (Shrewsbury) and St Georges (Stafford) inpatient sites.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St. George's Hospital and Redwoods Hospital

Stafford and Shrewsbury

ST16 3SR


Employer's website

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St. George's Hospital and Redwoods Hospital

Stafford and Shrewsbury

ST16 3SR


Employer's website

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead for Co-Production and Involvement

Eleanor Dunbar

eleanor.dunbar@mpft.nhs.uk

01785221377

Details

Date posted

16 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

301-LBG-26-7753685

Job locations

St. George's Hospital and Redwoods Hospital

Stafford and Shrewsbury

ST16 3SR


Supporting documents

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