Mental Health Ethnic Inequalities Lead

Job summary 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.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.About youTo be considered for this Mental Health Ethnic Inequalities Lead role you will need to have:An undergraduate degree Effective leadership and support to partnership working The ability to communicate the analysis of complex information to a range of audiencesA strong commitment to addressing health inequalities Main duties of the job About the roleThis is an exciting opportunity to join a wide range of partners in Leeds, committed to making a positive difference to peoples lives.
We are embracing significant change in the city and are particularly committed to tackling the mental health inequalities experienced by people from ethnic minority backgrounds as part of the Synergi-Leeds Partnership.We have an established and growing transformation programme in place involving national partners and local people working together to develop solutions across education, social and civic spaces, and mental health services.We are looking for a uniquely-skilled, dynamic, collaborative and entrepreneurial person, from a wide range of employment backgrounds and with significant experience of working with ethnic minority communities to bring about inclusive change.This role is integral to public health and across the mental health system in Leeds to bring about change and reduce ethnic inequalities in mental health.Initial priorities will be:To play a key leadership role in developing city-wide capacity and initiatives that prevent and reduce the risk of mental illness and improve equitable access to mental health services for ethnically diverse communities.
To support and coordinate a city-wide network in order to share good practice, build connections across the city and develop collaborations within and beyond Leeds.
About us What we offer youWe 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.We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds.
Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2024.
We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.This role is based in the UK.
Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - 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 and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job description Job responsibilities Job purposeTo play a key leadership role in developing city-wide capacity and initiatives that prevent and reduce the risk of mental illness, and improve equitable access to mental health services for ethnically diverse communities.
To co-ordinate a city-wide grants programme to support this whole systems approach.
To establish, support and coordinate a city-wide network in order to share good practice, build connections across the city and develop collaborations within and beyond Leeds.
To work closely with statutory and voluntary sector partners (including Leeds & York Partnership Foundation Trust, Leeds Community Healthcare, Forum Central) in order to build expertise and system capacity.
To liaise closely with national organisations, ensuring that local approaches to addressing inequalities in risk and outcomes of mental illness take an evidence-based approach that has impact across the life course.The post-holder will work as part of a cross-city team (Adult Social Care, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Leeds Office of the Integrated Care Board and Public Health) but will be hosted as part of the Public Health, Public Mental Health, under the supervision and guidance of Head of Public Health (Public Mental Health).ResponsibilitiesTo develop approaches that combine expert knowledge of research evidence with the narratives of people from ethnically diverse communities and leading work to address ethnic inequalities in mental health.
To ensure all activities are informed by those with lived experience of mental illness.
To establish and coordinate regular network meetings and communication between members.
This will involve use of social media, and coordinating both formal and informal events that bring together a wide range of partners in order to understand and develop actions that address ethnic inequalities in mental health.
To develop and co-ordinate commissioned programmes of work and a local grants panel to distribute funding for innovative systems work/development initiatives and activity.To work alongside Children & Families and Older Peoples practitioners to ensure work is aligned with their priorities and objectives across the life course.
To champion the use of creative approaches and co-design principles as a way in which to engage and support system change and organise workshops and events.Participate in and provide training and development activities as necessary to ensure knowledge and skills are up to date.
Comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council and Departmental policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
To actively promote and support Leeds City Council's and Departmental Policies on Equal Opportunities and to work in an anti-oppressive manner.
To attend and actively participate in support and supervision meetings and other meetings as agreed.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 requiredHigh level of numeracy and literacy.
Proven ability to engage groups of people, public speaking and facilitation.
Proven ability to analyse information/and apply theory to practice.
A proven ability to work constructively with conflict in order to bring about positive change.
Ability to appraise and apply evidence from a range of sources.
High level skills in working collaboratively and using co-design approaches and principles.
Able to work on own initiative, work creatively and flexibly.
An ability to work in partnership with colleagues across a wide range of organisations.
An ability to take forward initiatives from planning and development to implementation.
Able to work to agreed work programmes and timetables.
An ability to work flexibly across a range of initiatives and with partners as part of a larger team.
An ability to manage competing priorities and to respond and adapt to changing needs and opportunities.
Able to develop good working relationships with colleagues, partners and older people that create respect, trust and confidence.
Willing to take responsibility for the Health and Safety of yourself and others in line with Council Health and Safety policies.Knowledge/qualifications requiredExtensive knowledge about mental health services, mental health policy (in particular, the use of the mental health act) and community development approaches.
Extensive knowledge and understanding of policy and strategy in relation to health, well-being and inequalities in ethnically diverse communities.
Knowledge and understanding of the role that racism and discrimination plays in affecting the mental health and wellbeing of ethnically diverse communities.
Strong local knowledge about the city of Leeds and the communities at highest risk of poorer mental health.
Understanding of Local Government political systems, the Health Service and Voluntary sector DegreeExperience requiredExtensive experience of working collaboratively with ethnically diverse communities.
Experience of working with individuals, communities and organisations from different backgrounds and sectors.
Proven experience of challenging racism and discrimination and affecting change within ethnically diverse Communities.
Significant experience of using co-design/co-creation, collaborative and creative approaches.
Experience of organising workshops and events.
Experience of preparing, presenting and publicising reports in ways appropriate to different audiences.
Experience of identifying where there is the potential for change, and working with others to achieve this.
Experience of working in situations where there is a high level of challenge, and being able to manage conflict and disagreement.
Managing a budget.Essential Behavioural & other CharacteristicsHigh levels of emotional intelligence and an ability to build strong networks and relationships across sectors and communities.
Commitment to social justice and to addressing inequalities in health, specifically as they relate to people from ethnically diverse communities.
An ability to be adaptable and to work creatively.
To have a confident, warm and engaging manner.
Belief in the value of using creative approaches to bring about change.
Able to work flexibly-hours and location, and willingness to travel.
Understand and embraceLeeds City Council Values and Behavioursand codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering theBest City Ambitionof 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 employees 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 RequiredExtensive social media skills.
Facilitating co-design, co-creation events.Knowledge/qualifications requiredPostgraduate diploma.
In depth knowledge of the mental health act and how it disproportionately affects people from ethnically diverse backgrounds.Experience requiredExperience of managing a grants programme.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential Degree