Child Health Engagement Officer (Mental Wellbeing)

This opportunity is currently being offered on a fixed term contract basis of 18 months; however, if budgets allow the contract length may be extended and/or become permanent, though this is not guaranteed. If an internal council employee wishes to apply for this role, a secondment opportunity may be considered (please state this on your application).

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate Child Health Engagement Officer (Mental Wellbeing) to join Medway’s Public Health team. This is an exciting opportunity to work directly with children and young people, helping us to shape mental health support and improve outcomes across Medway.

If you are passionate about youth voice, emotional wellbeing, and reducing inequalities, we would love to hear from you.

About the role

You will play a key role in ensuring children and young people’s voices influence how mental health and emotional wellbeing support is designed and delivered across Medway. Working closely with schools, community groups, families, health partners and participation networks, you will help us understand what matters most to young people — including those whose voices are seldom heard.

You will:

• Gather views and lived experiences of children and young people to inform commissioning and service improvement.
• Work with partners to plan and deliver engagement events, including a children’s mental health event during Mental Health Awareness Week.
• Attend key partnership meetings such as the Mental Health Leads Network and Local Transformation Plan (LTP) groups.
• Support engagement work across Kent & Medway (e.g., neurodiversity pathway, self‑harm projects, SEND engagement).
• Promote a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment in all youth-facing activities.

This role involves working flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends, to meet children and young people where they are — in schools, youth groups, sports clubs and community venues.

We are seeking someone who is:

• A great listener — able to connect with children and young people in a supportive, non‑judgemental way.
• Confident in engaging groups and facilitating conversations.
• Passionate about tackling inequalities and ensuring all voices are represented.
• Skilled at building relationships with a wide range of partners.
• Organised, adaptable and able to manage multiple projects.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

The successful post holder will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

If you would like more information and an informal chat about the role, please contact Jodie Miller –jodie.miller@medway.gov.uk

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. The salary you will be offered will be at level A. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:

Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.

Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.

Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.

We are seeking a Child Health Engagement Officer Mental Wellbeing to join the team at level A. This is the entry point of the role, so you will need to be able to demonstrate the relevant knowledge, experience and skills to get you started, but you will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. All elements of level A listed within the person specification are essential. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

Important Information-

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria at level A which are essential for appointment to the role.
• Medway Council is not able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, so candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK.
• For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.
• Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
• We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.