Oral Health Project Officer in Luton

Luton Town FC Community Trust is seeking to recruit an Oral Health Project Officer. This is a full-time role focused on the delivery of an oral health education programme within targeted primary schools and community settings in Luton over 37.5 hours per week. The individual will be employed on a three-year fixed-term contract. We are seeking an individual who has previous experience of delivery within an education setting to join our team. Specific oral health training will be provided as required. The individual will be passionate about creating positive change and health outcomes for children and their families. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, personable and flexible professional with an ability to create and deliver innovative engaging content. You will have an ability to recognise and develop new opportunities whilst maintaining and developing existing relationships across a broad range of project users and partners. We will be looking for you to deliver positive and inspirational experiences to educate, stimulate positive change and reduce health inequalities.

JOB ROLE OUTLINE

This role will lead the design, creation and delivery of an oral health education programme in primary schools and community settings that will provide vital awareness and support for children and their families. Tooth decay rates in children, in Luton, are amongst the highest in the country. The project will work collaboratively with Luton Public Health and other locally focused oral health partners as a collective force for change.

AIMS

• Create awareness and lifelong habits of the importance of good oral health.
• Support children and families to understand contributing factors to poor oral health, including sharing public health messages that encourage positive behaviour change.
• Delivery of an outstanding programme of content.
• Support and strengthen the wider network of oral health partners to enable coordinated action and long-term behaviour change, including active participation in the Luton Dental Alliance.
• Highlighting demonstrable impact to support the sustainability and legacy of the project beyond the initial funding period.

ROLE SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with partners to develop and design the educational element of the project.
• Deliver a high-quality educational offer which uses sport as a tool to engage disaffected young people, encouraging good oral health and enhancing their mental wellbeing, attendance, attainment, and life skills through innovative and tailored curriculum delivery.
• Recruit targeted schools to create a delivery plan throughout the academic year.
• In school delivery of the education programme to provide much needed support and awareness to children and families.
• Collect relevant data to ensure that Community Trust reporting obligations are met with funders.
• Work with schools and partners to create high quality case studies that demonstrate the impact of the project.
• Create a project steering group and deliver timely and relevant updates in both written and verbal form.

Health & Safety: Employee requirements:

• Maintain up to date knowledge of Health & Safety related guidance and processes within your role and in line with the Club’s Health & Safety Policy.
• Consider the Health & Safety implications of all actions and inaction within your role.
• Support and uphold agreed standards for Health & Safety compliance, including assisting in accident, dangerous occurrence and near miss investigations within your role.
• Follow and adhere to; safe management systems and working practices in line with the Club’s Health & Safety Policy.
• Ensure you have been briefed and are confident in using any equipment prior to use and seek guidance from your line manager as required.
• Regularly review risk assessments, safe working, and management systems associated with your role.
• Liaise regularly with the Club’s appointed Health & Safety representatives to support and maintain compliance.
• Maintain records of all Health & Safety issues within your role and area of responsibility.

MAIN JOB REQUIREMENTS AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education/Qualifications/Training: Essentials

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience delivering programmes within school and/or community settings with children and young people.
• Experience delivering education, health, or behaviour-change programmes.
• Experience of working with schools, families, and community partners.
• Experience of collecting monitoring and evaluation data to meet reporting requirements.
• Relevant qualification or demonstrable experience in education, youth work, community development, health promotion, or related field.
• Willingness to undertake role specific oral health training.
• Valid First Aid and Safeguarding qualifications (or willingness to obtain).
• Ability to design and deliver engaging, age-appropriate educational content.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children, families, schools and partners.
• Experience of producing high-quality written reports or case studies.
• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to build and maintain strong, mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Ability to work to deadlines and meet project targets.
• Confident IT skills, including use of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage groups of children safely and effectively.
• Understanding of how children learn and develop.
• Understanding of health inequalities and barriers faced by children and families.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004 & 2006, Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2023, SEND code of practice and child protection procedures including understanding the effects of deprivation and abuse.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion within community delivery.
• Ability to recognise discrimination in its many forms and adhere to the Luton Town FC Community Trust’s EDI policies.
• Ability to work effectively within a diverse community and promote inclusive practice.
• Demonstrates appropriate motivation and commitment to working with children and young people.
• Emotional resilience when working with challenging behaviours or sensitive family circumstances.
• Strong commitment to high-quality, values led delivery.
• A full valid driving licence and access to car to travel between sites throughout Bedfordshire.
• Willingness to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Willingness to support wider Community Trust projects when required.
• Ability to satisfy Safer Recruitment checks, including references and Enhanced DBS clearance.

Desirables

• Experience of delivering oral health, public health, or wellbeing programmes.
• Experience of partnership working with public health teams or health-related organisations.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in relevant discipline.
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Qualification or training related to health, dentistry, or public health.
• Youth Mental Health First Aid.
• Leadership skills within a community or education setting.

Abilities/Skills/Knowledge:

• Committed, enthusiastic and passionate about Luton Town Football Club.
• Must be pro-active, motivated, organised, responsible and able to work independently as well as in a team.
• Highly developed problem-solving skills, resilience, and the ability to perform well under pressure.
• Demonstrate good listening skills and have the ability to resolve issues where appropriate.
• Ability to multi-task whilst maintaining priority efficiencies.
• Focused on achieving Club, departmental and individual success.
• Willing to follow and promote the philosophy of the football club.
• Be an ambassador for the Club presenting the Club in a positive image at all times.