Policy Researcher (children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing)

The Centre for Young Lives is looking for an experienced policy researcher to lead our national high profile campaigns to improve children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. You will gather evidence, analyse data and develop policy solutions to build robust and compelling cases to secure support for change and improvements for children and young people. You will also play an integral role as the campaign lead for the Future Minds campaign, bringing together leading children and young people’s mental health organisations to campaign for better support (Subject to funding).

Founded by Baroness Anne Longfield, a former Children’s Commissioner for England, the Centre for Young Lives exists to tackle systemic barriers and create better futures for children and young people. We want this country to be the best place to grow up and bring up children and work with national and local leaders to remove barriers to opportunity and deliver innovative solutions for lasting change. Our approach is rooted in collaboration, systems thinking, and amplifying the voices of children and young people.

In the face of a major and growing crisis in children and young people’s mental health, four of the UK’s leading children and young people’s and mental health organisations – Centre for Mental Health, the Centre for Young Lives, the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition and Young Minds, with the support of the Prudence Trust – have joined forces to call on the Government to deliver urgent reform and investment.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to inform projects, with a focus on improving children and young people’s mental health.
• Manage research activities and events, including roundtables, evidence sessions, visits, and stakeholder engagement.
• Draft and disseminate high-quality evidence submissions, policy reports, and briefings to influence change.
• Work closely with the Head of Policy to implement influencing strategies and embed children and young people’s voices in all policy work.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships across the mental health and children’s sectors, including as the Future Minds campaign lead, and represent the Centre externally with a range of stakeholders.
• Maintain a deep understanding of the policy and political landscape, acting as the Centre’s resident expert on children and young people’s mental health.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong research and policy development skills, with proven ability to critically analyse evidence and deliver persuasive arguments for change.
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative research for social policy, and knowledge of children and young people’s mental health policy.
• Highly organised, able to manage complex projects, prioritise tasks, and work both independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to turn complex information into clear messages for diverse audiences.
• Experience leading sector-wide coalitions and coordinating cross-organisation activities.
• Track record of contributing to evidence-driven research and influencing health policy stakeholders.
• Event management experience (seminars, launches, networks).

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a mission-driven organisation tackling systemic barriers for young people.
• Achieve impactful change to significantly improve outcomes for children and young people.

Salary and Benefits

• A generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year (plus 8 Bank Holidays).
• Policies which promote well-being and are family friendly.
• Hybrid-style working and flexible working approach.

Closing date 13th February (Midnight) and interviews will be held 26th February. We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups. We are actively seeking to bring diversity of perspectives and experience to our team, and especially welcome applications from those from racially marginalised communities. We encourage applicants to complete our Equity and Diversity Monitoring form to better understand the diversity of applicants. This is anonymous and cannot be connected with your application. We expect all staff to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. The Centre for Young Lives cannot assist with sponsorship or visas.