Children and Young People Social Prescribing Project Lead in Kettering

Are you passionate about improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people? Are you looking for an opportunity to lead an innovative and impactful programme? We are seeking a Children and Young People's Social Prescribing Project Lead to join the Public Health team at North Northamptonshire Council on a 12‑month fixed‑term contract. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the development and delivery of a new social prescribing pilot, supporting young people aged 11‑18 to access early, non‑clinical support.

You will be responsible for the end‑to‑end delivery of the project, including planning, implementation, performance management and evaluation. Working closely with schools, health partners, youth services and VCSE organisations, you will build strong partnerships and develop effective referral pathways that connect young people to meaningful community‑based activities. This role requires excellent project management, communication and leadership skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across a wide range of stakeholders. You will also provide support and oversight to Link Workers, ensuring high‑quality, person‑centred interventions that improve wellbeing, resilience and social connection.

• Service & Project Management – Plan, organise and manage all aspects of the CYP Social Prescribing pilot, including establishing referral pathways, developing resources and tools, supporting recruitment and induction of staff, ensuring appropriate systems are in place, and maintaining oversight of day‑to‑day delivery. Accountable for ensuring the service meets its agreed outcomes, timescales and quality standards.
• Stakeholder Management – Identify, engage and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders including schools, GPs, health services, youth organisations, leisure services, VCSE partners and internal council teams. Ensure clear communication, manage expectations and provide strategic and operational leadership to optimise referral flows and service impact.
• Project Governance – Work within relevant council policies, safeguarding procedures, data sharing requirements and project governance frameworks. Ensure the pilot is delivered consistently, ethically and safely, with all processes clearly documented.
• Resource & Budget Coordination – Support management of the project budget, including monitoring expenditure, maintaining accurate records and providing updates to the public health team. Administer the CYP discretionary activity fund by processing requests, tracking usage and ensuring spending remains within agreed limits and supports equitable access.
• Leadership & Support to Link Workers – Provide leadership, management, guidance and operational oversight to the CYP Social Prescribing Link Workers. Help prioritise caseloads, ensure access to relevant resources, coordinate training and support the planning and delivery of high‑quality personalised social prescribing interventions.
• Service Improvement & Development – Support continuous improvement of the service by identifying operational gaps, gathering feedback and embedding good practice. Contribute to refining pathways, resources and tools that strengthen early intervention and align with the Council's prevention and next‑generation working approaches.
• Project Documentation & Monitoring – Ensure all project documentation is maintained and updated, including referral logs, partnership agreements, process maps, risk registers, caseload summaries, evaluation data and progress reports. Record risks, issues, benefits and outcomes within required timescales.
• Reporting & Professional Advice – Prepare clear, concise updates and reports for the Public Health team, senior leaders, steering groups and partners, and act as the responsible officer for identifying issues, risks and required changes.
• Communication – Lead effective internal and external communication about the service, choosing the most appropriate methods (face‑to‑face, written, digital, presentations). Support youth‑friendly communication approaches and ensure consistent messaging across all stakeholders.

• Degree in a related area (e.g. health, public health, social care, education, youth work, business studies) or equivalent professional qualification or experience.
• Recognised project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, Agile, LEAN).
• Training related to mental health, early intervention, safeguarding or youth participation.
• Evidence of continued professional development relevant to working with children and young people or community‑based services.
• Experience of managing small to medium sized projects (< £250k).
• Experience of using tools and techniques associated with service improvement and project management.
• Experience of managing small‑scale business improvement or change for a single team.
• Experience of managing business improvements, including full process mapping and options analysis and appraisal.
• Demonstrable experience of leading, managing or directing people and project teams.
• Knowledge of project/change management concepts and methodologies (e.g. PRINCE2).
• Knowledge of ICT capabilities to meet business needs.

• Experience of analysing and solving complex process and systems problems.
• Experience identifying, managing and influencing stakeholders across multiple sectors (e.g. schools, health, VCSE).
• Awareness of national/local policy agendas relevant to CYP mental health, early intervention, social prescribing, youth services and local government challenges.
• Awareness of the National and Local Government agenda, current issues and challenges.

• Recognise political sensitivity within a project.
• Plan, coordinate and deliver activities to set timescales, prioritising effectively.
• Influence, negotiate and work collaboratively with partner organisations, translating CYP needs into service requirements.
• Develop and deliver projects and successfully manage change in working practices as a result of a project.

Demonstrate awareness/understanding of equalities, inclusion and the behavioural, physical, social and welfare needs of children and young people.

Ability to travel across North Northamptonshire as required.

• Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits scheme.
• Wellbeing support.
• Travel rates at HMRC rates.
• Support for a range of active employee network groups.
• Competitive salary.
• Pension scheme, with significant council contribution on top of your contribution; provides life cover and ill‑health protection.
• Opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council.
• Generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable, to support a healthy work‑life balance.