About the Service

Change Mental Health is one of the four founding charities of Mental Health UK. Our Young People’s Programmes; Bloom, Your Resilience and Me & Money focus on mental health prevention by delivering upstream resilience building programmes to young people across the UK. Traditionally delivered through workshops in mainstream education and community-based settings, we have recently diversified our approach, with a focus on engaging and supporting young people from diverse and underserved communities and supporting parents and carers.

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Young People’s Programmes Engagement Officer to work as part of our Young People’s Programmes Team.

As our Engagement Officer, you will be responsible for managing existing and fostering new relationships with educational establishments, community settings and other potential partners across Scotland. You will support the process of engagement from initial contact right through to sign up and participation in our programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Works closely with the Young People’s Programmes Manager to ensure that the KPIs for Bloom, Your Resilience and Me & Money programme delivery are met.
• Works closely with the Young People’s Programme Manager to unlock new income streams that will help us to grow our impact and support more young people. This may include grants, community fundraising and ‘paid for’ programmes.
• Develops a clear knowledge and understanding of the mental health and educational landscape in Scotland.
• Uses mapping tools, local data and independent research to build knowledge of the communities being engaged.
• Plans and delivers an engagement strategy for approaching and engaging schools, colleges and youth organisations, maintaining communication with the Young People’s Programmes Manager throughout its development.
• Uses appropriate promotional methods to promote the programmes and build relationships with key stakeholders across Scotland (e.g., schools, colleges, local authorities, youth groups) to secure programme sign-up.
• Supports the planning, coordination and delivery of resilience-based programmes for young people.
• Develops mechanisms to share programme impact through case studies, videos, webinars and other media.
• Liaises with Training Associates and organisations to ensure delivery dates are planned and implemented with adequate resources.
• Supports co-production and engagement work in Scotland, remaining responsive to the needs of young people and the people in their lives.
• Collaborates with colleagues, including engagement officers from other UK nations, to ensure a nation-wide response to the needs of young people.
• Keeps abreast of policy and research developments affecting young people’s mental health and the education landscape.
• Reports on all programme activities to the Young People’s Programmes Manager and suggests improvements where appropriate.
• Follows policies and procedures, and creates guidance and local operating procedures where required, particularly around safeguarding and the safety of staff and volunteers.
• Promotes partnership working and supports colleagues in developing awareness and knowledge.
• Contributes to the identification, management and reduction of risk, and reports incidents or near misses in line with organisational policy.

General Duties

• Act in accordance with Data Protection legislation. Ensure all records, personal, staff and client data are managed in line with Data Management and Information Governance policies
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements such as provisions set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• As with all employees, workers and volunteers; to encourage people to join Change Mental Health as a member, donor or activist
• To act in accordance with the charity’s Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies and to notify your line manager promptly if there are any concerns
• To participate in regular supervision and appraisal and undertake any relevant training as appropriate to the role
• To work in accordance with the charity’s national policies and local operating procedures and those of external regulators or professional bodies.

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrated track record of developing and maintaining relationships with educational institutions and youth work organisations.
• Proven experience of working with young people to deliver workshops and training
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to use a range of communication channels.
• Ability to keep accurate and detailed records to maintain contact databases and report on programme KPIs.
• Understanding of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles and a commitment to engaging and supporting young people from diverse and underserved communities.
• Understanding of the importance of working to quality standards and ability to encourage others to work toward these standards.
• Experience of working with and influencing a range of external stakeholders.
• Ability to handle stressful and difficult situations calmly.
• Strong team-working skills and experience of building effective working relationships.
• Effective time-management skills with the ability to prioritise workload and respond positively to unforeseen challenges.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to independently identify and complete tasks efficiently.
• Adaptability, with a willingness to contribute skills to new projects.
• Enthusiasm for learning and supporting colleagues.
• Well-developed IT skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram).
• Knowledge of safeguarding practices and ability to apply these appropriately within the role.
• Creative, self-motivated, proactive and flexible approach, with a positive attitude.
• Entrepreneurial and enthusiastic about building new partnerships across Scotland the enable us to reach more young people and grow our impact

Desirable Criteria

• Understanding of young people’s mental health and the main drivers of mental ill health in young people aged 14–18.
• Experience co-producing engaging resources with young people.
• Experience using CRM systems (preferably Monday.com) for managing data, tracking interactions, reporting and project workflows.

This job profile and list of duties is not exhaustive and serves only to highlight the main requirements. The line manager may stipulate other reasonable requirements and projects commensurate with the general profile and grade of the post.

Successful applicants for this post will require a PVG Membership (this will be arranged by Change Mental Health during before you start your role)

Benefits

• 24/7 access to an award-winning Employee Assistance Programme providing free legal, financial, and medical advice as well as support with life’s challenges.
• A 35-hour working week, enhanced sick pay & season ticket loan.
• A great work life balance with flexible and blended working environment.
• Access to purchase a Blue Light Discount Card
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Enhanced sick pay and leave entitlements.
• Generous 37 days’ holiday.
• Paid Mental Wellbeing days.
• Professional development including funded opportunities.