Public Health Practitioner - Inclusion Health

About the Role

This role is ideal for someone passionate about enhancing mental health and tackling health inequalities within communities of West Northamptonshire. As part of the Inclusion Health Portfolio, the focus is on improving mental wellbeing, suicide prevention, reducing health inequalities, and facilitating access to vital support and services for healthier lives. The role involves collaboration with partners from health, local government, community safety, and voluntary sectors to address complex community challenges and build safer, more resilient living environments.

This position offers a 12-month maternity cover opportunity to lead a dynamic portfolio centered mainly on public mental health and suicide prevention, while also advancing other inclusion health priorities, workplace wellbeing initiatives, and a coordinated system-wide approach to address serious violence’s root causes.

Working in a supportive and experienced Public Health Team, the practitioner will have both strategic and operational roles, focusing on mental health, community safety, and health improvement to create sustainable community impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead initiatives delivering public mental health and suicide prevention programs enhancing wellbeing and reducing inequalities.
• Collaborate with health, community, and voluntary partners to design and implement evidence-based mental health interventions.
• Provide operational leadership for the local Violence Reduction Unit and Community Safety Partnership with a trauma-informed focus addressing serious violence.
• Direct targeted inclusion health projects benefiting marginalized groups such as the homeless, vulnerable migrants, sex workers, and Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities.
• Manage workplace wellbeing programs promoting mental health, physical activity, and preventative health.
• Partner with NHS, local government, and community sectors to commission, execute, and assess public health initiatives.
• Utilize evidence and local insights to influence program development and policy decisions.
• Represent Public Health in multi-agency partnerships and strategic forums.
• Support the Public Health Team in delivering shared objectives and improving regional health outcomes.

Candidate Profile

The successful applicant will be an experienced public health professional with a solid background in public mental health, suicide prevention, or related health improvement sectors. The role requires strong multi-agency collaboration skills, project management expertise, and the ability to communicate and influence at various organizational levels. A minimum of two years’ relevant practical experience is preferred. A degree or postgraduate qualification relevant to Public Health or equivalent professional experience is required.

Why Join?

This position provides an impactful chance to make a meaningful difference by improving mental health, addressing inequalities, and supporting vulnerable communities in West Northamptonshire. The role involves collaboration across diverse sectors, offering learning and career advancement opportunities within public health, commissioning, partnerships, and leadership. It requires a motivated and experienced professional who can maintain continuity and drive an established portfolio forward.

Additional Information

• Salary ranges from £49,587 to £52,860 annually.
• Full-time hours: 37 hours per week.
• Fixed-term contract for maternity cover.
• Closing date for applications: 24 July 2026.
• Location: One Angel Square, Northampton, United Kingdom.
• Benefits include an extensive employee package explained on the employer’s careers website.
• Committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion, supporting adjustments during the application process upon request.

About the Employer

West Northamptonshire Council promotes a culture of innovation, respect, trust, high performance, and empowerment. They are dedicated to creating a thriving environment for employees to grow and contribute positively to the community while ensuring inclusive and equitable workplace practices.