INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.
Job title: Health Improvement Practitioner (Healthy Communities and Primary Care Team)
Salary: SO1 £34,434 - £36,363
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House (hybrid working)
An exciting opportunity has arisen at Leeds Public Health. Our ambition is for Leeds to be the best city in the UK; one that is compassionate and caring, with a strong economy, tackling poverty and reducing inequalities. We want to be a healthy city for all ages, where people who are the poorest improve their health the fastest. Leeds Public Health plays a major part in delivering this vision as part of the highly collaborative approach of ‘Team Leeds’, and we have the ideal partners and assets in Leeds to succeed.
About you
To be considered for this Health Improvement Practitioner role you will need to have:
- Good communication skills
- Ability to reflect on your practice
- Knowledge of partnership working
- Good team working
- A strong commitment to addressing health inequalities
About the role
Leeds is a vibrant city, made up of many diverse communities with incredible strengths. The places where we are born, grow, live and work shape our health and overall quality of life. Not everyone has the same opportunities for a healthy life. People in more deprived neighbourhoods of the city are more likely to die earlier and be unwell for more of their lives. We have a growing, diverse population with some communities facing an 11–12‑year gap in life expectancy.
Leeds is committed to improving the health of the poorest the fastest, a core function of the Healthy Communities and Primary Care Team.
Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to gain experience, develop and progress in the world of public health? Are you passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of culturally diverse communities? Championing equality, diversity and inclusion in communities?
Then, this job could be for you.
We have recently published the Locality Health Needs and Assets Assessments for some of Leeds’s most disadvantaged communities. These reports are designed to guide collaborative work at a local level and inform how resources are allocated, forming the foundation of your work programme.
The post holder will have specific responsibility for developing and implementing a range of initiatives in relation to the full spectrum of health and wellbeing.
The post aims to actively work to address health inequalities within Leeds. You will be based within the Healthy Communities and Primary Care team – a dynamic and dedicated team focused on improving health and wellbeing for our communities in Leeds.
About you:
We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated and proactive individual to contribute and support the implementation of multiple key workstreams within Public Health.
You will be collaborating and communicating with our public health teams and across the system with our valuable 3rd sector, Leeds City Council directorates, NHS and Integrated Care Boards.
You will be a confident individual who has knowledge and experience of partnership working and extensive experience of working with culturally diverse communities, understanding different cultures, faiths and championing inclusion.
The ability to use an asset-based approach and understand the issues affecting the lives of the target populations and the services, initiatives and policies that impact on them will be essential.
This is a demanding and rewarding role requiring you to manage multiple projects as well as working within the team and on your own initiative.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with excellent attention to detail, are essential for this role.
Initial priorities will be: Working on the implementation of the Health Needs and Assets Assessments. Leading insight and engagement work with our communities and stakeholders to continue building strong partnerships.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (please note that you will be required to spend regular time in the office in addition to home working)
- A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities · A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
How to apply
Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Chetna Patel Advanced Health Improvement Specialist, Call 07712214852 or email chetna.patel@leeds.gov.uk
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job purpose
To contribute and support the implementation of specialist local health improvement programmes ensuring the implementation of Public Health policies, strategies and work programmes which includes developing and maintaining public health information and support structures.
The post holder will have specific responsibility for developing and implementing a range of initiatives in relation to the full spectrum of health and wellbeing.
The post aims to actively work to address health inequalities within Leeds.
The post holder will also be required to facilitate and support multi-agency public health group work; community based health needs assessment and provide public health related training to a range of staff and community groups.
Responsibilities
- Support the continuous development, implementation and evaluation of public health work.
- Facilitate the implementation of health and wellbeing programmes.
- Support relationship building with public health providers to enable contract monitoring.
- Develop, continually review and update action plans.
- support delivery of programmes to raise awareness and increase early detection in relation to the health and wellbeing of people of the specified locality or topic area.
- Support the development of the sharing of best practice between the services/organisations/partners.
- Work in partnership with other council directorates and external organisations such as the Leeds Office of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and third sector to ensure optimum quality of service delivery.
- Maintain stock and resource levels within own function.
- Monitor budget expenditure.
- Project manage public health projects.
- Contribute to the preparation of reports, presentations and other promotional material.
- Actively work to ensure that projects contribute to the reduction of health inequalities.
- Proactively identify opportunities to work in partnership to deliver public health programmes.
- Participate in team meetings, providing information to members as appropriate.
- Participate in the appraisal and personal development planning process.
- Regularly access evidence bases and use them to ensure that work programmes are informed by current evidence of effectiveness.
- Participate and contribute to Health Needs Assessments, Health Impact Assessments and Health Equity Audits and public involvement surveys.
- Identify opportunities to promote, disseminate good practice through a variety of methods, including published journals.
- The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Freedom Act
- To be guided by local, national, and international innovation and initiatives of relevance to public health
Additional Information
- The responsibilities of the post holder will need to be flexible as the role evolves
- Attend relevant study/development opportunities
- Any other duties commensurate with the grade which may be required from time to time.
Relationships
Local
Leeds City Council staff
Elected members
Leeds Office of the Integrated Care Board
GP practices
Other independent contractors in Leeds
Local residents and communities
Voluntary Community and Faith Sectors
NHS Provider Trusts
Leeds Universities
Local Media
Sub-Regional/Regional
UK Health Security Agency Yorkshire and the Humber
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities in Yorkshire and Humber
NHS England West Yorkshire Area Team
Other academic institutes across the region.
National/International
Department of Health & Social Care
UK Health Security Agency
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
NHS England
Faculty of Public Health
World Health Organisation
Communicates and has contact with:
Other NHS organisations and Public Health Teams within North of England
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.
Skills required
- IT skills – Microsoft Office, internet and e-mail.
Leadership and collaborative working
- Ability to embrace working with culturally diverse communities and partnerships.
- Good time management and ability to prioritise workload.
- Good communication skills both verbal and written.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work both on own initiative/self-motivated and as part of a team.
- Ability to write reports and other written materials for different audiences.
Assessing the evidence
- Ability to apply evidence with role.
Knowledge/qualifications required
- Engaged in continuing professional development and reflective practice.
- Knowledge of partnership working.
- Knowledge and understanding of health inequalities.
- Knowledge of how to access evidence bases and using them to inform work programmes.
Experience required
Leadership and collaborative working
- Experience of working collaboratively.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
- Commitment to improving health and reducing health inequalities, public health ethics and to fostering a learning environment.
- Able to work flexibly-hours and location, and willingness to travel.
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.
Skills required
- Presentation skills.
- Ability to plan, arrange, co-ordinate and facilitate meetings with a range of stakeholders.
Surveillance and Assessment
- Skills in the interpretation and analysis of data.
Knowledge/qualifications required
- Undergraduate Degree.
- Knowledge of public health/health improvement theory/evidence in specific field.
- Knowledge of project management.
Experience required
Assessing the Evidence
- Experience of evaluating public health initiatives.
Leadership and collaborative working
- Experience of working in diverse communities.
- Experience of delivering training.
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