Together Involvement Co-ordinator

NHS; Exeter; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Part time

Job summary

A prestigious healthcare organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a Together Involvement Co‑ordinator to promote involvement of service users in mental health initiatives. This role involves coordinating expert networks, supporting training programs, and ensuring inclusive opportunities for all stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have experience in facilitation, excellent communication skills, and relevant educational background, contributing to a culture of co-production. This position offers a salary between £31,049 and £37,796 for 30 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Experience of facilitating workshops, meetings or focus groups.
• Relevant experience of working with service users or people with lived experience.
• Lived experience of mental health challenges.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the Together Expert by Experience Network.
• Provide support to ensure accessibility in involvement opportunities.
• Manage participation, ensuring diversity and inclusion.

Skills

Facilitation of workshops

Effective communication

Analytical skills

Judgment and decision making

Planning and organization

Education

Educated to degree level or equivalent

GCSE English or equivalent

Job description

Together Involvement Co‑ordinator - 30 hours per week

The Together team plays a key role in promoting and embedding involvement and co‑production across Devon Partnership NHS Trust. As a Together Involvement Co‑ordinator, you will support people with lived experience, families, carers and staff to work in partnership. The role provides day‑to‑day co‑ordination of the Together Expert by Experience Network and practical support to ensure opportunities are accessible, inclusive and aligned with organisational priorities. You will promote the involvement of people with lived experience and carers in planning, delivery and evaluation so that their perspectives shape service improvement and organisational culture.

Band 5 – Subject to Job Evaluation

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities include:

• Work alongside Together and Carer Lead to develop and deliver training for Experts by Experience.
• Support the planning, delivery and monitoring of involvement opportunities across services.
• Maintain accurate records of involvement activity and participation.
• Act as a first point of contact for Experts by Experience engaged in improvement work.
• Provide practical support, guidance and information to ensure Experts by Experience feel prepared and valued in their roles.
• Provide advice and guidance to staff on involving service users and carers in improvement and decision‑making.
• Ensure involvement opportunities are inclusive, accessible and reflect the diversity of local communities.
• Support the Together and Carer Lead with collecting and reporting on involvement activity, impact and feedback.
• Work with colleagues, Experts by Experience and external partners to champion the value of lived experience.
• Help foster a culture where co‑production and partnership working are embedded at every level.

About us

We provide mental health, learning disability and neuro‑diversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south‑west region and nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people’s recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of co‑production, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience – we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust’s core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part‑time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neuro‑diversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job responsibilities

Job Title: Together Involvement Co‑ordinator

Band: 5 – Subject to Job Evaluation

Directorate: Corporate

Department: Together Programme

Base: Wonford House, Exeter

Responsible To: Together & Carer Lead

Job Purpose

The Together team plays a key role in promoting and embedding involvement and co‑production across Devon Partnership Trust. As an Involvement Coordinator, you will support people with lived experience, families, carers and staff to work in partnership. The role provides day‑to‑day co‑ordination of the Together Expert by Experience Network and practical support to ensure opportunities are accessible, inclusive and aligned with organisational priorities. You will promote involvement of people with lived experience and carers in planning, delivery, and evaluation so that their perspectives shape service improvement and organisational culture.

Duties and Responsibilities

Communication and Working Relationship Skills

• Communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including Experts by Experience, carers, families, clinical and non‑clinical staff, and external partners.
• Build trusting and respectful relationships with people with lived experience, ensuring communication is sensitive, inclusive, and accessible.
• Facilitate meetings, workshops, and events that encourage active participation, valuing all contributions equally.
• Explain processes and procedures clearly, adapting communication style to meet different needs, including those with communication difficulties or learning disabilities.
• Handle sensitive and personal information with discretion and maintain appropriate confidentiality at all times.
• Manage situations where views may differ, using negotiation and influencing skills to reach constructive outcomes.
• Provide feedback to Experts by Experience on how their input has been used, reinforcing the value of involvement.
• Collaborate with colleagues across services to promote a culture of co‑production and partnership working.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

• Assess involvement opportunities to ensure they are inclusive, meaningful, and appropriate for Experts by Experience.
• Analyse feedback from service users, carers, and staff to identify key themes, trends, and areas for improvement.
• Exercise sound judgement when balancing the needs and perspectives of Experts by Experience with service priorities.
• Recognise and escalatesafeguarding concerns or risks in line with organisational policy.
• Evaluate the impact of involvement activities and present findings in a clear and accessible way.
• Apply problem‑solving skills to manage practical challenges (e.g. accessibility, participation barriers, conflicting views).
• Make informed decisions under pressure, drawing on policy, best practice, and professional judgement.

Planning and Organisational Skills

• Plan, organise, and coordinate involvement activities, meetings, and events, ensuring they run smoothly and inclusively.
• Manage multiple tasks and deadlines, prioritising effectively in a busy and changing environment.
• Maintain accurate records of involvement activity, attendance, and outcomes to evidence impact.
• Anticipate and address potential barriers to participation, making practical arrangements to support access (e.g. travel, accessibility needs, communication formats).
• Coordinate diaries and schedules across teams, Experts by Experience, and external partners when required.
• Contribute to project planning, ensuring Experts by Experience are engaged at appropriate stages.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability when plans need to change at short notice.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy

• Provide non‑clinical support to service users, carers and families through involvement activities, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.
• Support Experts by Experience to contribute safely and meaningfully to service development and quality improvement initiatives.
• Ensure involvement processes are sensitive to the individual needs of participants, including those with lived experience of mental health difficulties, learning disabilities, or other vulnerabilities.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation

• Support the implementation of policies and procedures that strengthen service user, carer, and Expert by Experience involvement across the organisation.
• Contribute to the review and development of local involvement policies, ensuring they reflect best practice in co‑production and inclusivity.
• Provide feedback from Experts by Experience to inform policy development and service improvement initiatives.
• Promote awareness and understanding of involvement policies among staff, helping to embed them in everyday practice.
• Ensure that involvement activity aligns with organisational strategies (e.g. Together Strategy, Carers Strategy, Clinical Strategy).
• Identify areas where involvement processes could be improved and suggest amendments to policy or practice.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and external partners to ensure consistent application of involvement policies across services.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

• Assist in managing budgets related to involvement activities, including payments for Experts by Experience and associated expenses.
• Organise and oversee resources required for meetings, workshops and events, including venues, equipment and materials.
• Ensure equipment and resources are used safely, efficiently and sustainably.
• Identify resource needs for planned involvement activities and escalates any shortfalls to the line manager.
• Contribute to reporting on resource utilisation to demonstrate value and impact of involvement initiatives.

Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management

• Support the induction and orientation of Experts by Experience, ensuring they understand their roles, responsibilities and organisational procedures.
• Provide guidance, mentorship and support to Experts by Experience in their involvement activities.
• Identify training needs for Experts by Experience and staff to enhance participation and co‑production practices.
• Facilitate access to appropriate learning opportunities, workshops or briefings to support engagement.
• Work within Trust HR policies when dealing with Experts by Experience, ensuring compliance with safeguarding, confidentiality and organisational requirements.
• Escalate any performance concerns regarding Experts by Experience or involvement activities to the line manager.
• Contribute to a supportive and inclusive environment, promoting wellbeing and engagement of all participants.

Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties

• Maintain accurate records of involvement activities, including attendance, feedback and outcomes, ensuring confidentiality is upheld.
• Manage databases, spreadsheets and filing systems related to Experts by Experience and involvement projects.
• Prepare reports, presentations and documentation to demonstrate the impact of involvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with data protection legislation and Trust information governance policies.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of information resources, toolkits or guidance to support co‑production and involvement.

Responsibility for Research and Development

• Carry out research as required and relevant to the job role.

Freedom to Act

• Responsible for managing own workload and to work independently or as part of a team.
• Works autonomously, but can seek advice when necessary/ manages a discrete area of work.

Any Other Specific Tasks Required

• To undertake training as required maintaining competency / complying with Trust policies.
• Any other duties which fall within the general scope of the job description and band.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of facilitating workshops, meetings or focus groups.
• Experience of dealing with confidential and complex information.
• Relevant experience of working with service users, carers or people with lived experience in a health or social care setting.
• Lived experience of mental health challenges.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent (Qualification or training in health, social care, voluntary sector work or community engagement).
• GCSE English or equivalent.
• Evidence of continuing professional and personal development.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This 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.

£31,049 to £37,796 a year Pro‑Rata (30 hours per week) – Subject to Job Evaluation