At a Glance
- Tasks: Support mental health initiatives and engage with local communities to promote wellbeing.
- Company: Join Porchlight, a charity dedicated to helping vulnerable people thrive.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension schemes, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Lived experience of mental health is valued; apply your passion for community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health while building community connections.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience supporting mental health needs are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
About the role: Within this role you will work as part of Porchlight’s Live Well Kent & Medway (LWKM) service, strengthening the links between local communities, voluntary and statutory partners, and the wider mental health and social care system. As a Mental Health Locality Officer, you will work closely with local health alliances, district councils, voluntary and community sector organisations and people with lived experience, helping to ensure community voices influence local wellbeing planning and decision making.
The role will involve promoting LWKM, gathering insight from communities to inform strategic commissioning, and supporting the promotion of key public health priority areas such as stigma reduction, supporting carers, gambling harms and lived experience engagement. This is a place‑based role, working across all districts in East Kent and the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley area, with a strong emphasis on partnership working, community engagement and co‑production.
The role requires:
- Excellent communication, engagement and relationship‑building skills
- Experience of supporting people with mental health needs in the community, including helping them access services and local resources
- Experience of working collaboratively with people with lived experience and supporting co‑production approaches
- An understanding of mental health inequalities, stigma and the wider social determinants of mental health
- The ability to work confidently with a range of partners across health, social care and the voluntary and community sector
- Knowledge of local mental health support services and community organisations (desirable)
- A commitment to community engagement, prevention and early intervention
- Good IT, literacy and numeracy skills, with the ability to use data and insight to inform and promote services
- Ability and willingness to travel regularly across Kent
Lived experience of mental health is welcomed and valued.
Hours: 22 per week
Working pattern: Part-time, 9am to 5pm on set days between Monday and Friday with some flexibility required (working pattern to be agreed upon appointment)
Contract type: Fixed Term until 31st March 2028
Interview date: 15th June 2026
Please note, salaries are pro‑rata for part‑time positions. The contract for this role runs until 31st March 2028. We hope to extend the contract if new funding is obtained, but this isn’t guaranteed at the time of writing this job advert.
Our application form and interview process have been designed to assess your transferable skills rather than direct experience. This helps remove barriers for people who may have the right values, abilities, and potential but may not have formal experience in the role they’re applying for. We actively encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.
Please have a look at the application guidance and job description at the bottom of the page to give you the best chance of being shortlisted.
For further information about the role, or to have an informal chat with the recruiting manager, please contact Pam Burniston on 07921 605849 or email PamBurniston@porchlight.org.uk. For any further information regarding the application process please contact hr@porchlight.org.uk.
The charity Porchlight is a charity supporting people who are homeless, vulnerable, and isolated. At Porchlight, we are passionate about helping vulnerable people to reach their full potential. We strive for a fairer society where vulnerable people find stability, the most excluded are included, and where homelessness and poverty are things of the past. Porchlight is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Porchlight is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.
The benefits:
- Generous annual leave entitlements
- Generous pension scheme
- Occupational sick pay
- Occupational maternity and support pay
- Employee assistance programme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to mental health first aiders
- Sponsorship for professional qualifications
- Staff loans
- Hybrid and flexible working
- Life assurance
Mental Health Locality Officer in Dartford employer: Porchlight
Porchlight is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong commitment to community engagement and mental health advocacy, the organisation offers generous benefits such as flexible working arrangements, professional development sponsorship, and a robust employee assistance programme. Working as a Mental Health Locality Officer in East Kent provides the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on local communities while enjoying a collaborative and empowering workplace culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mental Health Locality Officer in Dartford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Porchlight and their values. When you understand what they stand for, you can tailor your conversations during interviews to show how you align with their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with people in the mental health sector, especially those who work with Porchlight. Attend local events or join online forums to build relationships that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to community engagement and mental health. Use examples from your experience to demonstrate your skills and how you can contribute to the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Mental Health Locality Officer in Dartford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for mental health shine through! We want to see how much you care about community engagement and supporting those with lived experience. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We’re looking for excellent communication and relationship-building skills, so give us examples of how you've demonstrated these in past roles.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see how you fit the role and what you can bring to our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining us at Porchlight and ready to take that next step in your career.
How to prepare for a job interview at Porchlight
✨Know Your Community
Before the interview, take some time to research the local communities in East Kent and Dartford, Gravesham, and Swanley. Understand their specific mental health needs and the resources available. This will show your commitment to community engagement and help you discuss how you can strengthen those links effectively.
✨Highlight Your Experience
Even if you don’t have direct experience in a similar role, think about transferable skills from your past. Be ready to share examples of how you've supported individuals with mental health needs or worked collaboratively with various partners. This will demonstrate your ability to adapt and thrive in this position.
✨Showcase Communication Skills
As a Mental Health Locality Officer, excellent communication is key. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully engaged with diverse groups, including those with lived experience. Use specific examples to illustrate your relationship-building skills and how you’ve influenced decision-making in previous roles.
✨Understand Mental Health Inequalities
Familiarise yourself with the social determinants of mental health and the stigma surrounding it. Be prepared to discuss how these factors impact the communities you'll be working with. Showing that you understand these issues will highlight your readiness to promote wellbeing and support strategic commissioning.
