Head of Lived Experience & Co-Production for Specialist Services
6 hours ago
Stafford
Job summaryDo you hold lived experienceaccessing (and building a meaningful life following the use of) services which would fall under MPFTs Specialist care group (eg Drug & Alcohol treatment, Forensic services, Eating Disorders, Health and Justice or Prison services, Sexual Health services or Learning Disabilities services) or caring for a family member or loved one who has accessed one or more of these services?Are you an experienced peer/ lived experience leader with a track record of bringing insights from lived experience into strategic contexts? Do you hold expertise in supporting others to understand and apply different engagement methodologies- from co-production to involvement and participation?If so, this could be the perfect opportunity to join our passion team who truly believe that patient, carer, and family experience is central to delivering outstanding care.You will need to travel independently over a large geographical area and will require suitable transport.Main duties of the job The Head of Lived Experience and Co-Production will work highly autonomously within their allocated care group, reporting closely into the Deputy Director for Lived Experience and care group senior leadership. Responsible for ensuring that lived experience and co-production is embedded in your care group, developing relationships and programmes of work to support MPFT's Co-Production, Lived Experience & Community Voice Strategy (CLEVES). Identify and lead cross-cutting initiatives that reflect and amplify the voices of people who use services, improving outcomes and strengthening person-centred approaches across care groups, thereby supporting your care group to realise its strategic aims. Youwill also spend a portion of time considering the central activities and work programmes which pertain to MPFT as a whole and is based in the Lived Experience and Co-Production Directorate, holding a specialised lens on the agenda as it pertains to the communities served by the care group with whichyoulink. Responsible for promoting the vision and values of MPFT and for MPFT's priorities regarding Lived Experience, Co-production and Community Voice. Youwill lead by example and ensure thatyoudemonstrate the trust'svalues in collaborative work with communities and colleagues across the organisation,playing acritical role in ensuring service developments are inclusive, responsive, and aligned with the NHS 10 Year Plan.About usCome and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applicationsPlease be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.DetailsDate posted22 July 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8aSalary 57,528 to 64,750 a year per annum ContractPermanentWorking pattern Full-time Reference number301-ZR-26-8164182Job locationsSt George's HospitalCorporation StreetStaffordST16 3SRUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesBefore applying for his unique and challenging role we encourage you to view the full job description and person specificationPlease note that we are advertising for three Heads of Co-Production & Lived Experience, each will work closely with either Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Specialist, or Children & Families care group. If you feel you have the lived experience required for one or more of the other care groups, as well as this one, please do refer to this explicitly in your supporting statementThe recruitment process for these roles will include an online presentation, planned for 23rdand 25thSeptemberand panel interview/stakeholder group on29thand 30thSeptember.Candidates will only be required to attend a timed slot onone of the presentationdaysand either the 29thOR30th September for interview. Job description Job responsibilitiesBefore applying for his unique and challenging role we encourage you to view the full job description and person specificationPlease note that we are advertising for three Heads of Co-Production & Lived Experience, each will work closely with either Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Specialist, or Children & Families care group. If you feel you have the lived experience required for one or more of the other care groups, as well as this one, please do refer to this explicitly in your supporting statementThe recruitment process for these roles will include an online presentation, planned for 23rdand 25thSeptemberand panel interview/stakeholder group on29thand 30thSeptember.Candidates will only be required to attend a timed slot onone of the presentationdaysand either the 29thOR30th September for interview.Person Specification Qualifications EssentialCertification or accredited training in co-production, patient and public involvement (PPI), or community engagement (or equivalent level of demonstrable experience)Formal training or qualification in leadership, management, or project management (e.g., ILM Level 5/7, Prince2, MBA (or equivalent level of experience)Qualification or experiential learning related to peer support, recovery education, trauma-informed care, and/or mental health advocacy or equivalent experienceDesirableResearch methods or evaluation qualification/training, particularly in participatory action research or community-based research methodologies. Experience EssentialLived experience of accessing (and building a meaningful life following the use of) services which would fall under MPFTs Specialist care group (eg Drug & Alcohol treatment, Forensic services, Eating Disorders, Health and Justice or Prison services, Sexual Health services or Learning Disabilities services) or caring for a family member or loved one who has accessed one or more of these servicesProven leadership experience in co-production, lived experience roles, patient and public involvement, or community engagement within health or social care settings.Experience designing, implementing, and embedding co-production approaches into service development and transformation.DesirableProven track record of leading an implementation process including completing complex, multi-faceted implementation plans and workstreams Skills EssentialIn-depth knowledge of health and care services, recovery principles, trauma-informed care, peer support models, and co-production best practicesDesirableFamiliarity with research methods, including participatory and community-based approaches Person Specification Qualifications EssentialCertification or accredited training in co-production, patient and public involvement (PPI), or community engagement (or equivalent level of demonstrable experience)Formal training or qualification in leadership, management, or project management (e.g., ILM Level 5/7, Prince2, MBA (or equivalent level of experience)Qualification or experiential learning related to peer support, recovery education, trauma-informed care, and/or mental health advocacy or equivalent experienceDesirableResearch methods or evaluation qualification/training, particularly in participatory action research or community-based research methodologies. Experience EssentialLived experience of accessing (and building a meaningful life following the use of) services which would fall under MPFTs Specialist care group (eg Drug & Alcohol treatment, Forensic services, Eating Disorders, Health and Justice or Prison services, Sexual Health services or Learning Disabilities services) or caring for a family member or loved one who has accessed one or more of these servicesProven leadership experience in co-production, lived experience roles, patient and public involvement, or community engagement within health or social care settings.Experience designing, implementing, and embedding co-production approaches into service development and transformation.DesirableProven track record of leading an implementation process including completing complex, multi-faceted implementation plans and workstreams Skills EssentialIn-depth knowledge of health and care services, recovery principles, trauma-informed care, peer support models, and co-production best practicesDesirableFamiliarity with research methods, including participatory and community-based approachesDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Employer detailsEmployer nameMidlands Partnership NHS Foundation TrustAddressSt George's HospitalCorporation StreetStaffordST16 3SRUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameMidlands Partnership NHS Foundation TrustAddressSt George's HospitalCorporation StreetStaffordST16 3SRUnited KingdomEmployer's website