Co-Production and Participation Lead

Hours: Full-Time 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 1 st November 2026
Interview Date: 9 th November 2026

Every role at North Kent Mind contributes to improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes for people and communities across Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley and Medway. By working together to deliver high-quality, person-centred support, we help ensure that people experiencing mental health challenges receive the support and respect they deserve.

About North Kent Mind

North Kent Mind is an independent mental health charity supporting people living in Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley and Medway.

We provide a wide range of services that help improve mental health and wellbeing, including counselling, community support, children and young people’s services, wellbeing programmes and employment-related support.

Our vision is that everyone experiencing a mental health problem receives the support and respect they deserve. We are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred services that make a meaningful difference in our local communities.

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and motivated The Co-production and Participation Lead to join our team. Reporting to Lived Experience Manager, this role will play a key part in coordinating the development and delivery of meaningful participation and co-production activity across North Kent Mind’s Children and Young People’s Services and the Medway Therapeutic Alliance (MTA). Contribute to the continued success and sustainability of North Kent Mind.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to combine professional expertise with meaningful social impact while helping shape the future of mental health support across North Kent.

Whether working directly with people accessing our services or supporting the teams who deliver them, you will be part of an organisation committed to improving mental health and wellbeing across North Kent.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will: Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of co-production and participation activity across North Kent Mind CYP Services and MTA partner organisations, aligned with organisational priorities and contract requirements.

Ensure children, young people, parents, carers and families have meaningful opportunities to influence service design, delivery, evaluation, governance and continuous improvement.

Develop and maintain a range of participation opportunities, including co-production panels, advisory groups, focus groups, consultations, creative engagement activities, service reviews, recruitment processes and governance forums.

Recruit, support and engage a diverse range of children, young people and families, ensuring the inclusion of underrepresented and seldom-heard groups.

Promote inclusive, accessible and trauma-informed participation practices that remove barriers to involvement.

Support children and young people to build confidence, skills and leadership through training, mentoring, feedback and recognition, and help create pathways into volunteering, training and employment opportunities where appropriate.

Embed a robust “You Said, We Did” approach, ensuring contributors understand how their involvement has influenced decisions, developments and outcomes, and that evidence of impact is captured and reported.

Provide guidance and support to colleagues and partner organisations to build confidence, skills and consistency in co-production practice.

About You

The successful candidate will have:

• Relevant experience in participation, co-production, youth engagement, community development, mental health, social care, education or a related field.
• Relevant qualification or equivalent experience in youth work, participation, co-production, engagement, mental health, social care, education or safeguarding.
• Understanding of co-production, participation and children and young people’s voice.
• Understanding of safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Understanding of trauma-informed and strengths-based practice.
• Knowledge of CYP mental health services and local systems.
• Experience of planning and delivering participation, engagement or co-production activities with children and young people.
• Experience of facilitating groups, workshops, consultations or forums.
• Experience of working collaboratively across organisations or within a partnership environment.
• Experience of engaging underrepresented or seldom-heard groups.
• Experience of collecting, analysing and using feedback to improve services.
• Experience of supporting service development, quality improvement or contract reporting.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to analyse information and present findings clearly for different audiences.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to influence decision-making and support positive change through lived experience and feedback.
• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and digital engagement tools.

It would be advantageous if you also have:

• Personal lived experience of mental health challenges, caring responsibilities or accessing support services.

Why Join North Kent Mind?

• Make a genuine difference to people’s lives.
• Contribute to services that improve mental health and wellbeing.
• Be encouraged to develop professionally and personally.
• Help shape the future of mental health support across North Kent.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with length of service, plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Occupational pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Learning and development opportunities
• Wellbeing support and initiatives
• Family-friendly and compassionate leave policies

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

North Kent Mind is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and supported. We recognise that a diverse workforce strengthens our organisation and helps us better understand and meet the needs of the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives and are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion throughout our recruitment, employment and development practices.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is fair, accessible and inclusive. Reasonable adjustments will be considered and supported at every stage of the recruitment process and throughout employment where required.

Safeguarding Commitment

North Kent Mind is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. We are committed to creating safe environments where people feel protected, respected and supported, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As part of our safer recruitment approach, the recruitment and selection process for this role will assess candidates’ suitability to work with children, young people and adults at risk. Successful applicants will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable, verification of qualifications and professional registrations, satisfactory references, employment history checks and right-to-work verification.

North Kent Mind is committed to protecting people from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm. We seek to recruit individuals who demonstrate our values and a commitment to safeguarding, professional boundaries and the wellbeing of the people we support.

Where a role involves regulated activity, the relevant level of DBS check and any additional safeguarding requirements will be specified in the Job Description and Person Specification.

North Kent Mind is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to creating safe environments in which they can thrive. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and to uphold our safeguarding responsibilities at all times.

As part of our safer recruitment approach, the recruitment and selection process for this role will assess the candidate’s suitability to work with children and young people. Successful applicants will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, which may include an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with Children’s Barred List check, verification of qualifications, employment history, references and right-to-work checks, as appropriate to the role.

North Kent Mind is committed to safeguarding children and young people from harm, abuse and exploitation. We seek to recruit and retain individuals who share our values and who demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Additional Role Requirements (if applicable)

• Enhanced DBS required
• Professional registration required
• Driving licence and access to a vehicle required
• Regular travel across Kent and Medway
• Occasional evening or weekend working

Recruitment Process

Applications will be assessed against the criteria set out in the Person Specification. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and may be required to complete a role-related assessment.

Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks applicable to the role.

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