Adult Social Care Co-production & Engagement Lead

Join us in shaping the future of Adult Social Care services across the Wakefield District.

Our ambition is to ensure that our services are co-produced with the people and communities they serve.

If you are passionate about community engagement and believe you can help to create and embed a culture of co-production within adult social care, we want to hear from you!

What will be expected of me?

You will play a crucial role in shaping the future of adult social care services across Wakefield district to improve people’s experiences and deliver better outcomes. This is an opportunity to collaborate with diverse community groups and individuals to ensure that their lived experiences directly influence our policies and service development.

You will be working closely with the Business Communication and Engagement Manager and Senior Leadership Team to create and embed a culture of co-production across adult social care.

What might I be doing?

• Co-production: co-produce an annual adult social care co-production action plan. That ensures meaningful involvement from the community in shaping adult social care services.
• Community Engagement: build and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of communities, including those representing older adults, people with disabilities, and their families/unpaid carers.
• Communication: develop and maintain effective communication channels with service users and their loved ones. Prepare and distribute information such as newsletters and online content to keep service users informed about co-production activities and opportunities.
• Telling People’s Stories: Develop case studies that demonstrate the impact of adult social care services to service users and unpaid carers.
• Advocacy: Work closely with Council colleagues, local organisations, and partners to integrate co-production principles into service delivery.  Also advocate for accessibility and inclusivity in all co-production activities to ensure that all service users feel included and can participate.

Essential requirements:

• Educated to a Level 5 qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience appropriate with the role.
• In-depth knowledge of the principles of co-production, involvement approaches and engagement and experience.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work with a wide range of communities from diverse backgrounds.
• Empathy for those who draw on care, their carers and the issues they face.
• Ability to prioritise own work effectively and manage emotive situations.

Why join us?

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who are supported by adult social care services. We are particularly keen to see applications from people with lived experience, but not essential. You will also work as part of a friendly and innovative team who celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued. We are committed to your professional development and offer training and support to help you succeed.

Why Wakefield Council?

• We offer a flexible full-time working pattern of 37 hours per week
• 30 days holidays plus 8 Bank Holidays. *pro-rata if part-time role
• Support and access to high-quality training programmes to progress your career to the next level.
• We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We recognise that resilient teams need good work life balance as well as supportive leadership.
• Access to Wellbeing Coaching if required, Support for Carers, a Sense of Belonging.
• Discounted and subsidised public transport (Arriva Bus Annual Travel Ticket, Northern Trains Limited (NTL), MetroCard).
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Great range of benefits including discounted membership to our excellent leisure facilities with free 12 weeks exercise program, discounts for a range of retail, entertainment, health and leisure providers, cycle to work scheme and many more.

Join us and make a difference!

Want to Know More?

If you would like to know more about the role, the recruitment process or working for Wakefield Council feel free to contact Leanne Swithenbank.

Tel: 07712476149

E-mail: lswithenbank@wakefield.gov.uk